Recall 18V300 affects 1,219 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia trucks for incorrectly installed driver airbag fasteners. Repair will be free at a franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
Freightliner is recalling 1,219 2018-2019 Cascadia trucks because the fasteners securing the driver's air bag module inside the steering wheel were installed outside specification. An incorrectly installed air bag can fail to function correctly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury, and the dealer repair will be free once Freightliner makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's frontal air bag module in a 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia sits inside the steering wheel. The fasteners hold that module in the correct position so it stays secured until a crash sensor commands deployment. In a frontal crash, the module must deploy from the right place in the wheel to help protect the driver.
On affected Cascadia trucks, changes to the Saltillo assembly process left some air bag fasteners installed outside specification. That means the driver's air bag module was not secured the way Freightliner intended. If the module shifts or is not held firmly, frontal air bag deployment can be affected in a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The steering wheel can look normal, and the issue is with how the air bag module was fastened inside it.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2018 and 2019 Cascadia model years, both tied to the same front air bag component.
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2019 Freightliner Cascadia | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,219 |
| 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.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrectly installed frontal air bag can fail to work correctly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign that tells you the fasteners are out of specification, so confirm the recall with your VIN and arrange the inspection when service is open. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Review the owner notice Freightliner mailed on July 9, 2018, if you have it.
- Call Freightliner customer service at 1-800-547-0712 if you do not have the notice, and reference recall number 18V300 and Freightliner recall FL-771.
- Ask a franchised Freightliner dealer whether the free frontal air bag fastener inspection and tightening is open for your VIN.
- Drive with caution until the air bag fasteners are inspected and tightened, since the driver frontal air bag can fail to work correctly in a crash.
What happens at the repair
The planned dealer repair is straightforward: once Freightliner opens the repair, a Freightliner technician will inspect the fasteners that secure the driver's frontal air bag module inside the steering wheel, then tighten them to the proper specification. The final dealer repair will be free once available. The goal is to make sure the air bag module is properly secured before it needs to deploy in a crash.
Timeline
| May 8, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 6, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 6, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V300?
Recall 18V300 covers 1,219 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles with driver's frontal air bag fasteners that were not installed to specification. An incorrectly installed air bag can fail to function correctly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Freightliner dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Cascadia is included in recall 18V300. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask for the frontal air bag fastener inspection and tightening. Reference recall number 18V300 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Freightliner dealers will inspect the driver's frontal air bag fasteners and tighten them to the proper specification free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Freightliner Cascadia before the repair?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is tied to a crash: an incorrectly installed driver's air bag can fail to work correctly, increasing injury risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer inspection so the fasteners are corrected.
When did Freightliner start this recall repair?
Freightliner began the recall on July 9, 2018. If you own a 2018-2019 Cascadia and never received a notice, check your VIN and call a franchised Freightliner dealer with recall number 18V300.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V300000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V300 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V300000 |
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 →