DTNA Recalls 200k+ Trucks for Possible Brake Pull During Adaptive Cruise Control

Daimler Truck North America is recalling more than 200,000 Freightliner and Western Star vehicles because the brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during an adaptive cruise control braking event.

Regular service brakes are unaffected, and the reported incidence rate of brake pull is extremely low, so DTNA has not issued a do-not-drive order associated with this recall.

The recall potentially affects 218,147 vehicles that are equipped with painted modulator valves made by ZF and adaptive cruise control. The recall primarily affects Freightliner Cascadias, with 237,316 affected, with smaller numbers of Business Class, Western Star, and Freightliner SD trucks involved:

• 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadias manufactured between March 8, 2016, and June 18, 2022.
• 2020-2023 Western Star 49X manufactured between Aug. 12, 2017-March 7, 2022, 746 vehicles.
• 2020-2022 Freightliner Business Class M2 manufactured between April 1, 2020, and Dec. 1, 2021, 23 vehicles.
• 2021-2023 Western Star 47X trucks manufactured between July 14, 2020, and March 22, 2022, 32 vehicles.
• 2021-2022 Western Star 57X manufactured between August 20, 2020, and Dec. 20., 2021, 17 vehicles.
• 2021 Freightliner 108 SD manufactured between June 25 and July 13, 2020.
• 2022 Freightliner 114SD trucks manufactured between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, 2021.

The DTNA recall number is FL-958.

In 2020, in a previous recall (FL-855), DTNA recalled unpainted brake modulator valves due to possible corrosion and implemented a remedy of painted valves. Following two reports of vehicle pull during ACC operation from a customer with the painted valves in September 2022, DTNA worked with this and other customers to randomly select additional painted valves to inspect. Testing results revealed varying degrees of corrosion build-up on the valves installed on trucks and was most present on vehicles primarily operating in aggressive salt belt regions. So DTNA initiated a new recall to replace the painted brake modulator valves with anodized valves on the vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control.

DTNA amended the new recall population on Nov. 3 to include other vehicle models built with the subject steer modulator valves, despite having a different valve mounting style and no knowledge of any field failures. DTNA discovered during the assessment that mounting is an important variable for debris intrusion, but there are other variables that may also play an important role in corrosion.

The company also said it is continuing to investigate the impact of other external braking events, such as electronic stability control and antilock braking systems.

Dealers will replace the front brake modulator valves with anodized valves, free of charge. The recall will be rolled out in phases based on location. DTNA said it currently has limited stock of the replacement valves and is working with its supplier to quickly ramp-up production of additional supply.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 30, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-958. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 20V-390. All vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-390 will need to have the new remedy performed.

The NHTSA recall campaign number is 22V817000.