Recall 18V742 affects 6,326 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles for brake lights that stay on after release. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 6,326 2017-2018 Cascadia trucks because the brake lights can stay on after the brake pedal is released. When brake lights remain on, other drivers do not get a clear signal that the truck is slowing or stopping; Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake light switch on the 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia tells the exterior brake lamps when the driver is pressing the brake pedal. In normal operation, pedal pressure closes the switch, the lamps turn on, and releasing the pedal lets the switch open so the lamps turn off.
On these trucks, the problem is in the brake pressure switch, the part that senses brake pressure and sends the brake-light signal. Surface contaminants inside the switch can interfere with its operation. When that happens, the switch can keep reporting brake pressure after the driver has released the pedal, so the brake lights stay lit while the truck is no longer braking.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clue is that the brake lights remain on after the pedal is released, or another driver notices the lights staying on when the truck is moving or parked.
Who's affected?
The scope spans 2017 and 2018 Cascadia trucks, with brake-light and brake-light switch components called out separately.
| 2017 Freightliner Cascadia | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | Switch |
| 2018 Freightliner Cascadia | Brake lights |
| 2017 Freightliner Cascadia | Switch |
| Units affected | 6,326 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
When the brake lights stay on, drivers behind the Cascadia lose the normal signal that the truck is actually slowing or stopping. That confusion increases crash risk, especially in traffic where drivers rely on brake-light changes. Schedule the brake light switch replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free brake-light-switch replacement that fixes brake lights staying on after the pedal is released.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V742 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair, and leave extra space before slowing or stopping so other drivers have more time to react.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician replaces the brake light switch so the brake lights release when the pedal is released. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid for a repair tied to the brake light switch or brake lights staying on after pedal release, Freightliner's standard reimbursement plan covers documented out-of-pocket costs. Bring receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact DTNA customer service and reference recall FL-799.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 17, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 17, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 18, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V742?
Recall 18V742 covers 6,326 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia trucks whose brake lights can stay on after the brake pedal is released. That gives other drivers unclear braking signals and increases crash risk. Freightliner dealers replace the brake light switch for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2017-2018 Freightliner Cascadia is included in recall 18V742. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and ask for the brake light switch replacement under recall FL-799. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Freightliner dealers replace the brake light switch free of charge. Reference recall 18V742 or Freightliner recall FL-799 when you schedule service.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is unclear braking information for drivers behind the truck. If the brake lights stay on after the brake pedal is released, other drivers lose a clear signal that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, which increases crash risk.
When did this Freightliner recall start?
Freightliner began this recall on January 18, 2019. Owners can still check the VIN and schedule the free brake light switch replacement with a franchised Freightliner dealer. DTNA customer service is available at 1-800-547-0712.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V742000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V742 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V742000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →