Recall 18V491 affects 43,584 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia trucks for missing ABS or ESC bulb checks. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 43,584 2017-2019 Cascadia trucks because the instrument cluster can skip required ABS and ESC warning-light bulb checks when the ignition is cycled too quickly. If those warning lights are out during an ABS or ESC malfunction, the driver can miss the alert, increasing crash risk; Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument cluster unit in a 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia is the dashboard electronics package that controls the gauges and warning lights the driver sees at startup. Part of its normal job is a bulb check, which briefly turns on required warning lamps so the driver can see that the Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Stability Control indicators are able to light.
On affected Cascadia trucks, that check can be skipped when the ignition is turned from on to off and back to on too quickly. The cluster does not complete the required ABS or ESC bulb checks in that sequence. That means the truck does not meet the federal air brake and electronic stability control display requirements tied to those warning lamps.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is the missing startup lamp check itself, so a driver can notice that the ABS or ESC indicator does not briefly illuminate during the ignition cycle.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Cascadia model years, all tied to the same instrument panel component.
| 2019 Freightliner Cascadia | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2017 Freightliner Cascadia | instrument panel |
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 43,584 |
| 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?
Without the ABS or ESC bulb check, the driver lacks a clear way to know whether those warning lights work. If the bulbs are out during an ABS or ESC malfunction, the truck can fail to alert the driver, increasing crash risk. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free ICU reprogramming that restores the ABS and ESC bulb checks.
- Tell the dealer if your Cascadia has tire pressure monitoring; that group also needs replacement parts.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V491 when you call.
- Avoid assuming ABS or ESC warnings will display correctly until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician reprograms the Instrument Cluster Unit so the warning lamps run their required bulb check each time the ignition is turned on. Trucks in the Tire Pressure Monitoring System group also receive the replacement parts required for that system. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. The available remedy addresses the ABS and ESC lamp check issue covered by recall 18V491.
Timeline
| July 20, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 17, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 17, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 5, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V491?
Recall 18V491 covers 43,584 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia trucks with instrument cluster software that can skip the ABS or ESC bulb check when the ignition is cycled too quickly. Freightliner dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster for free, and trucks with tire pressure monitoring also receive needed parts for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Freightliner Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V491. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the instrument cluster reprogramming. Reference recall number 18V491 or Freightliner's FL-780 number when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Freightliner dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster free of charge. If your truck has tire pressure monitoring, the required replacement parts are also covered.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the driver is not alerted when an ABS or ESC warning bulb is not working. If an ABS or ESC malfunction happens later and the warning bulb is out, the driver is not notified, increasing crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V491000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V491 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V491000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →