Recall 18V116 affects 584 2018 Freightliner MT45G and MT55G chassis for capacitor damage that can short. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 584 2018 MT55G and MT45G custom chassis because the bracket securing a uStart Ultra Capacitor to the battery tray can damage the capacitor and let water in. Corrosion or an electrical short can increase the risk of fire, and Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2018 Freightliner MT55G and MT45G custom chassis in this recall use a uStart Ultra Capacitor as part of the electrical system. A capacitor is an energy-storage device: it holds electrical charge and releases it quickly to support vehicle starting and other high-demand electrical loads. On these chassis, the capacitor is secured near the battery tray.
The problem is the bracket that holds the capacitor in place. That bracket can damage the capacitor case while it is mounted to the battery tray. Once the case is damaged, water can enter the capacitor. Water intrusion can cause internal corrosion or an electrical short.
The recall filing does not list an owner warning sign before the capacitor is damaged or shorts. There is no warning sign before failure. That means an owner should not rely on lights, sounds, or drivability changes to identify whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Both MT55G and MT45G chassis are included, and each is tied to the electrical system.
| 2018 Freightliner MT55G | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Freightliner MT45G | electrical system |
| Units affected | 584 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short increases the risk of fire in affected 2018 Freightliner MT55G and MT45G vehicles. Treat this as a prompt repair item: confirm whether your VIN is included, then arrange dealer service without delay. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Freightliner MT55G or MT45G is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free repair.
- Schedule the uStart Ultra Capacitor removal and added conventional battery, which fixes the capacitor damage and water-intrusion risk at the battery tray.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V116 when you call.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician removes the uStart Ultra Capacitors from the affected chassis and installs an additional conventional battery in their place. This addresses the bracket and capacitor setup that allowed damage, water entry, corrosion, or an electrical short. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered at no charge under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the capacitor removal and battery replacement are being performed under campaign 18V116 before the work order is closed.
Timeline
| February 16, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 16, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 16, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 13, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V116?
Recall 18V116 covers 584 2018 Freightliner MT55G and MT45G custom chassis with uStart Ultra Capacitors. The capacitor bracket can damage the capacitor, let water enter, and create corrosion or an electrical short. Freightliner dealers will remove the capacitors and install an additional conventional battery for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Freightliner MT55G or MT45G is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 18V116. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the capacitor removal and battery replacement. Reference recall 18V116 or Freightliner recall FL-760 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Freightliner dealers will remove the uStart Ultra Capacitors and replace them with an additional conventional battery free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V116?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical short. In recall 18V116, the capacitor bracket can damage the capacitor and let water enter, which can cause corrosion or an electrical short. Schedule the free dealer repair after your VIN confirms the recall applies.
What if I bought my Freightliner MT55G or MT45G used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018 Freightliner MT55G or MT45G is included, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer with recall 18V116 or FL-760.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V116000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V116 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V116000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →