Recall 23V208 covers 24,282 2020-2021 Cascadia and 49X trucks for hazard-warning-light software that flashes improperly during braking-assist events. Repair is free at franchised Freightliner dealers.
Freightliner is recalling 24,282 2020-2021 Cascadia and 49X trucks because the hazard warning lights can flash improperly during an Advanced Braking Assist event. Improper flashing can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk; Freightliner dealers will update the advanced safety software free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
Detroit Assurance 5.0 is the advanced driver assistance system on affected 2020-2021 Cascadia and 49X trucks. It manages Advanced Brake Assist, which gives driver alerts and adds braking when an emergency braking event develops. Hazard warning lights are supposed to flash at a regulated rate so other drivers can read the signal clearly.
The problem is in how Advanced Brake Assist and the exterior lighting controls interact during a full emergency brake application. In the moments just before the truck comes to a complete stop, the hazard warning lights activate automatically and flash at 140 flashes per min. That flash rate is faster than allowed under FMVSS 108, so the truck does not meet the lighting standard.
Before this happens, the driver gets multiple alerts from the braking system. Those include audible and visual warnings, followed by partial braking that the driver can feel before the system reaches the full emergency braking stage.
Who's affected?
Covers Cascadia and 49X trucks across the 2020 and 2021 model years, tied to Detroit Assurance 5.0 exterior lighting and hazard flasher components.
| 2020 Freightliner Cascadia | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2021 Western Star 49X | Hazard flashing warning lights |
| 2021 Western Star 49X | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Western Star 49X | Hazard flashing warning lights |
| 2020 Western Star 49X | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Freightliner Cascadia | Hazard flashing warning lights |
| 2021 Freightliner Cascadia | Hazard flashing warning lights |
| 2021 Freightliner Cascadia | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 24,282 |
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?
Improperly flashing hazard warning lights can confuse other drivers and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the software update and use extra care around traffic until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Freightliner dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Cascadia or 49X is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the free software update that corrects improper hazard-light flashing during an Advanced Braking Assist event.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 23V208 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the update is complete. Leave extra following distance and watch surrounding traffic during braking events.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Freightliner technician updates the software that controls the hazard warning lights so they flash properly during an Advanced Braking Assist event. The software update and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this software-related repair before the recall work, Daimler Truck North America's reimbursement plan directs owners to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers. Bring the owner letter and any repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 28, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 18, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 19, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| May 19, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 19, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V208?
Recall 23V208 covers 24,282 2020-2021 Freightliner Cascadia and 49X vehicles with hazard warning lights that flash improperly during an Advanced Braking Assist event. That lighting problem can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Dealers will update the hazard-light software for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Freightliner Cascadia or 49X is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V208. If it is, contact a franchised Freightliner dealer to schedule the hazard-warning-light software update. Reference recall number 23V208 or DTNA recall FL851 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and DTNA says dealers will update the software controlling the hazard warning lights free of charge. Use recall number 23V208 or FL851 when scheduling with the dealer.
Is it safe to drive before the recall repair is complete?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The defect affects how the hazard warning lights flash during an Advanced Braking Assist event, which can confuse other drivers and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free software update with a franchised Freightliner dealer.
When were owners notified about recall 23V208?
DTNA mailed owner notification letters on May 18, 2023. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included, then call a Freightliner dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V208000 |
|---|---|
| Freightliner customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V208 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V208000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →