Recall 20V686 affects 104 2019-2021 Freightliner Econic Sd vehicles for battery cable damage. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
Freightliner is recalling 104 2019-2021 Econic Sd vehicles because electrical power cables near the battery relay and ground cable can be routed or secured in a way that damages them. Damaged wiring can overload the ground connection and raise fire risk, or cause an unexpected stall without warning; Freightliner dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The power cables on a 2019-2021 Freightliner Econic Sd carry battery power through the truck and connect at the battery relay and ground cable. The ground cable completes the electrical path back to the battery, so the starter, engine controls, and other electrical systems have a stable connection. Those cables need to stay routed and secured so vibration and movement do not damage the connection points.
On affected Econic Sd trucks, the cable routing and securement leave the battery relay connection and ground cable exposed to damage. A damaged ground connection interrupts the electrical path. That leads to a no-start condition or an engine shutdown if the connection fails while the truck is running.
The owner warning sign is found during inspection, not from a dashboard message named in the filing. During the pre-trip inspection, look at the battery area and cable connections for visible damage or a loose connection.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, with the same battery cable component listed for each.
| 2019 Freightliner Econic Sd | battery |
|---|---|
| 2021 Freightliner Econic Sd | battery |
| 2020 Freightliner Econic Sd | battery |
| Units affected | 104 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents 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?
The cable problem can overload the ground connection, increasing fire risk. It can also damage the ground connection, causing an unexpected engine stall without warning and no restart, increasing crash risk. Inspect battery and cable connections during pre-trip checks, and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Freightliner Econic Sd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free battery-cable repair that reroutes the left ground cable, reorients the battery cables, and adds a heat sleeve.
- Bring the recall notice if Freightliner mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V686 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the repair is complete; a damaged cable connection can create fire risk or stall the engine without warning.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician reroutes the left ground cable, installs a new connection joint, reorients the battery cables, and adds a new heat sleeve so the cables are kept away from damage at the battery relay and ground cable area. The recall repair is available, and parts and labor are free. Ask the service desk to confirm the work is tied to Freightliner recall 20V686 when you schedule the appointment.
Timeline
| November 5, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 24, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 3, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 3, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 3, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V686?
Recall 20V686 covers 104 2019-2021 Freightliner Econic Sd vehicles with electrical power cables that can be damaged near the battery relay and ground cable. Freightliner dealers will reroute the left ground cable, add a new connection joint, reorient the battery cables, and install a new heat sleeve for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Freightliner Econic Sd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V686. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer and reference recall number 20V686. The dealer repair is free and addresses the battery cable routing and securement issue.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 20V686, Freightliner dealers will reroute the left ground cable, add a new connection joint, reorient the battery cables, and install a new heat sleeve free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire or an unexpected engine stall without warning. A damaged power cable wire can contact the ground cable at the battery relay and overload the ground connection. A damaged ground connection can also cause the engine to stall and fail to restart.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the engine stall described in recall 20V686. The source filing says the vehicle can stall unexpectedly and fail to restart. If your Econic Sd has electrical problems, stalls, or will not restart, contact a Freightliner dealer and reference this recall.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V686000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V686 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V686000 |
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →