Recall 18V525 affects 4,155 2018-2019 Freightliner trucks for loose brake caliper mounting bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 4,155 2018-2019 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, 122SD, Columbia, Business Class M2, and Coronado vehicles because the recall involves brake caliper mounting bolts that were not tightened enough during manufacturing. Loose caliper bolts can reduce brake effectiveness and increase crash risk, and Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air disc brake caliper on these 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Business Class M2, and Coronado trucks holds the brake pads at the wheel end. When the driver applies the brakes, the caliper squeezes the pads against the disc rotor to slow the truck. The mounting bolts keep that caliper fixed in place so the brake force goes where it is supposed to go.
On affected trucks, those caliper mounting bolts were not tightened to the minimum specification during manufacturing. That means the caliper was not secured as designed from the start. If the bolts loosen or are missing, the brake hardware is no longer held in its proper position, and the air disc brake system cannot work exactly as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, pedal feel, or a dashboard warning to identify this condition before the brake hardware is inspected.
Who's affected?
Covers the 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, 122SD, Columbia, Business Class M2, and Coronado across the 2018-2019 model years; all list the brake system as the component.
| 2018 Freightliner 108SD | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Freightliner 114SD | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner 122SD | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Columbia | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner Business Class M2 | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Cascadia | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner 108SD | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner 122SD | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner Columbia | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner Coronado | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Coronado | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner 114SD | brake system |
| Units affected | 4,155 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the risk of a crash. The filing does not list a warning sign before reduced braking, so schedule the recall repair soon and treat any braking change as a reason to stop and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, 122SD, Columbia, Business Class M2, or Coronado is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free brake-caliper bolt inspection and tightening that secures the brake calipers properly.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V525 and Freightliner recall FL-783 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At a Freightliner authorized service facility, a Freightliner technician checks the brake caliper mounting bolts covered by recall 18V525. The technician tightens the bolts to the required torque specification and confirms the caliper is secured before the vehicle returns to service. The recall repair is available now, and the inspection, tightening, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Schedule service with an authorized Freightliner facility and describe the brake caliper bolt recall when you call.
Timeline
| August 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 6, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| October 6, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 6, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 6, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V525?
Recall 18V525 covers 4,155 2018-2019 Freightliner trucks with brake caliper mounting bolts that were not tightened enough during manufacturing. Loose caliper bolts can reduce brake effectiveness and increase crash risk. Freightliner dealers will check and tighten the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, 122SD, Columbia, Business Class M2, or Coronado is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V525. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the brake caliper mounting bolt inspection and tightening. Reference recall number 18V525 or FL-783 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Freightliner dealers will check and tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 18V525.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking effectiveness. If the brake caliper mounting bolts are loose, the air disc brake caliper cannot work as designed, which increases crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then have a Freightliner dealer complete the free inspection and bolt tightening.
What if I bought the Freightliner truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received an owner letter, check your VIN, then call a franchised Freightliner dealer with recall number 18V525 or FL-783.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V525000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V525 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V525000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation 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 →