Recall 18V703 affects 5,534 2018-2019 Freightliner trucks for loose brake caliper mounting bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 5,534 2018-2019 trucks, including Cascadia, Business Class M2, and 108SD models, because brake caliper mounting bolts were not tightened enough. Loose caliper bolts can reduce brake effectiveness and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air disc brake caliper on these 2018-2019 Freightliner trucks is the heavy bracket and brake assembly at the wheel end. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the air brake system applies force at the caliper so the brake pads clamp the rotor and slow the truck. The caliper has to stay firmly bolted to the axle assembly for that force to be applied correctly.
On the affected trucks, the caliper mounting bolts were not tightened to the required torque during axle assembly at the Meritor York plant. Torque is the measured tightening force on a fastener. If the bolts are under-tightened, the caliper is not secured the way the brake design requires, and proper brake operation is no longer assured.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not count on noise, pedal feel, or a dashboard light to appear before a loose caliper bolt creates a braking problem.
Who's affected?
Spans multiple 2018-2019 truck lines, all tied to the air disc brake caliper.
| 2019 Freightliner 114SD | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Fccc Xbs | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc Xbs | brake system |
| 2019 Fccc Xcm | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc Xcm | brake system |
| 2019 Fccc Xcp | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc Xcp | brake system |
| 2019 Fccc Xcr | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc Xcr | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Cascadia | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc Xcl | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc S2G | brake system |
| 2019 Fccc S2G | brake system |
| 2019 Fccc S2C 106CAB | brake system |
| 2018 Fccc S2C 106CAB | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 | brake system |
| 2019 Freightliner 108SD | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner Business Class M2 | brake system |
| 2019 Fccc Xcl | brake system |
| 2018 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner 114SD | brake system |
| 2018 Western Star 5700 | brake system |
| 2018 Western Star 4700 | brake system |
| 2018 Freightliner 108SD | brake system |
| 2019 Western Star 4700 | brake system |
| 2019 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
| 2019 Western Star 5700 | brake system |
| Units affected | 5,534 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can make the brakes less effective and increase the risk of a crash. There is no listed warning sign, so schedule the recall repair soon and use extra caution until a dealer checks and tightens the bolts. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Freightliner truck is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Freightliner dealer to ask whether the free brake-caliper bolt check and tightening is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 18V703 when you call so the service desk can find the brake-caliper mounting bolt recall.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one to you.
- Drive cautiously until the repair. Leave extra following distance because loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce braking effectiveness.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Freightliner technician checks the brake caliper mounting bolts and tightens any bolts that are not at the proper torque. The work focuses on the caliper mounting hardware that holds the brake caliper in place. The dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under recall 18V703. The source does not give a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the inspection and tightening will take when you book the visit.
Timeline
| October 5, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 3, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 3, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 3, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 3, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V703?
Recall 18V703 covers 5,534 2018-2019 Freightliner trucks and chassis with brake caliper mounting bolts that were not tightened enough. Loose 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 truck is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V703. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the brake caliper bolt inspection and tightening. Reference recall number 18V703 or FL-794 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V703, Freightliner dealers will check and tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V703?
The safety risk is reduced braking performance. If brake caliper mounting bolts loosen, the brakes cannot work as designed, which increases crash risk. Check your VIN, and if your truck is included, have a Freightliner dealer complete the free bolt inspection and tightening.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V703000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V703 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V703000 |
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 →