Recall 20V527 affects 9,665 2018-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 108SD, and Business Class M2 trucks for engine harness chafing. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 9,665 2018-2021 114SD, 108SD, and Business Class M2 vehicles because engine harness wires can chafe near the air compressor and frame rail. Damaged wires can short and stall the engine with no warning sign, which increases crash risk, and Freightliner dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine harness on the 2018-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 108SD, and Business Class M2 is a bundle of protected wires that carries electrical signals between the DD8 engine and the truck's control systems. It helps sensors, controls, and engine-management parts stay connected while the engine runs.
On affected trucks, those harness wires sit close enough to the air compressor and frame rail that normal movement and vibration can rub through the wire covering. That rubbing is chafing. Once the covering is damaged, exposed wires can short, and the engine can stall while the truck is being driven.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing says the engine can stall without prior warning, so an owner should not count on a light, sound, or change in engine feel before the problem happens.
Who's affected?
Covers three Freightliner truck lines across the 2018-2021 model years, with wiring and engine-cooling components listed for each.
| 2018 Freightliner 114SD | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2018 Freightliner 114SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018 Freightliner 108SD | wiring |
| 2018 Freightliner 108SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 | wiring |
| 2020 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021 Freightliner 108SD | wiring |
| 2021 Freightliner 108SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021 Freightliner 114SD | wiring |
| 2021 Freightliner 114SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2021 Freightliner Business Class M2 | wiring |
| 2021 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019 Freightliner 114SD | wiring |
| 2019 Freightliner 114SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019 Freightliner 108SD | wiring |
| 2019 Freightliner 108SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 | wiring |
| 2019 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020 Freightliner 108SD | wiring |
| 2020 Freightliner 108SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018 Freightliner Business Class M2 | wiring |
| 2018 Freightliner Business Class M2 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2020 Freightliner 114SD | wiring |
| 2020 Freightliner 114SD | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 9,665 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
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?
An engine stall cuts power while the vehicle is moving and can increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 108SD, or Business Class M2 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free engine-harness inspection and repair for chafed wires that can short and stall the engine.
- Reference recall number 20V527 and Freightliner recall FL-860 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, the dealer can still look up the recall by VIN.
- Plan routes that leave room to pull over safely until the repair is complete; the engine can stall without warning.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician checks that the engine harness has enough clearance around the air compressor and frame rail, then verifies that the harness insulation and wiring are not damaged. If damage is found, the technician installs a new harness with severe duty wrapping and added hardware to protect the wires from chafing. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the dealer repair is free.
Timeline
| September 1, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 28, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 30, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| October 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 30, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V527?
Recall 20V527 covers 9,665 2018-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 108SD, and Business Class M2 vehicles. Engine harness wires can chafe near the air compressor and frame rail, short, and stall the engine without warning. Freightliner dealers will inspect the harness clearance and repair damaged harnesses for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 108SD, or Business Class M2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V527. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the harness inspection and repair. Reference recall number 20V527 or Freightliner recall FL-860 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Freightliner states that all repairs for recall 20V527 are free. Dealers will inspect harness clearance, check for damage, and install the corrected harness and hardware when needed.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine stall. If the harness wires chafe and short, the engine can stall without prior warning, increasing crash risk. The repair path is the dealer inspection and harness repair, which is free for vehicles included by VIN.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing says the damaged wires can short and cause the engine to stall without any prior warning. That is why the VIN check matters, even if the truck runs normally now.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V527000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V527 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V527000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →