Recall 17V730 affects 231 2018 Freightliner Cascadia trucks for a shift-lock bolt that can seize. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 231 2018 Cascadia trucks with Detroit automatic transmissions because a shift lock bolt can seize and keep the transmission stuck in gear range 7 through 12. If that happens, the engine can stall and raise crash risk; Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The automatic transmission in the 2018 Freightliner Cascadia changes gear ranges so the engine can keep the truck moving at the right speed and load. A shift lock bolt inside the transmission is part of that internal shift mechanism. It has to move freely so the transmission can leave one gear range and select the next.
On affected Cascadia trucks, the shift lock bolt can seize inside the Detroit automatic transmission. When that happens, the transmission stays stuck in gear range 7 through 12 instead of shifting out when commanded. The issue was traced to suspect transmissions that were believed to have been repaired before delivery, then later found in trucks already delivered to customers.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver would notice the problem when the truck refuses to shift out of the affected gear range. That is the failure itself, not an advance warning.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 231 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
If the transmission stays locked in gear range 7 through 12, the engine can stall and increase crash risk. Drive cautiously and schedule the inspection soon. If shifting does not respond, stop in a safe place and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Freightliner Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free transmission inspection and shift-bolt replacement that addresses the shift bolt that can seize and trap the transmission in gear range 7 through 12.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V730 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra room to stop if the transmission does not shift normally.
What happens at the repair
At a Freightliner authorized service facility, a Freightliner technician inspects the Detroit automatic transmission for the suspect shift bolt. If the bolt is affected, the technician replaces it so the transmission can shift normally instead of staying stuck in the upper gear ranges. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Schedule the truck with a Freightliner dealer or authorized service facility and ask whether the truck should be driven in for service based on its current shifting behavior.
Timeline
| November 17, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| January 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 15, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V730?
Recall 17V730 covers 231 2018 Freightliner Cascadia trucks with Detroit automatic transmissions. A shift lock bolt inside the transmission can seize and prevent shifting out of gear range 7 through 12. Freightliner dealers will inspect the transmission and replace the shift bolt as necessary for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Freightliner Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 17V730. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the transmission inspection. Reference recall number 17V730 or Freightliner's FL-754 number when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 17V730, Freightliner dealers will inspect the automatic transmission and replace the transmission shift bolt as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V730?
The safety risk is engine stall from a transmission that cannot shift out of gear range 7 through 12. If that happens while the truck is in use, crash risk increases. Confirm your VIN, then have a franchised Freightliner dealer complete the free inspection and repair.
When did the Freightliner Cascadia recall repair start?
The recall repair began on February 28, 2018. That means the dealer remedy is available now for included 2018 Freightliner Cascadia trucks. Check your VIN first, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall FL-754.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V730000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V730 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V730000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →