Nearly 1900 Freightliner and Western Star trucks have been recalled for possible brake light failure during an automatic emergency braking event, caused by a software error.
Daimler Truck North America is recalling certain model year 2025-2026 vehicles with automatic emergency braking systems and without towing provisions.
On these vehicles, a defect in the automatic emergency braking systems’ software can apply the brakes during a vehicle-induced hard braking event without illuminating the brake lamps, increasing the risk of a crash.
A software parameter defect affecting a small portion of the product line was identified whereas the same parameter feature works properly on the other vehicles within the product line.
As a result, Daimler Trucks North America is recalling certain 2025-2026 model vehicles as follows. It is estimated that 100% of these vehicles are affected by the recall.
Freightliner 108SD (2026) produced from Jan. 21, 2025-Feb. 28, 2025
Freightliner 114SD (2026) produced Jan. 22, 2025-Feb. 27, 2025
Freightliner Cascadia (2026) produced Jan. 14, 2025-Feb. 28, 2025
Freightliner Business Class M2 (2025-2026) produced Nov. 25, 2024-Dec. 2, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2025-Feb. 28, 2025
Western Star 47X (2025-2026) produced Oct. 10, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025
Western Star 49X (2025-2026) produced Nov. 25, 2024-Feb. 21, 2025
The problem was discovered in late February during a series of validation tests unrelated to the defect. No field reports, customer complaints, or warranty claims have been found relating to this issue, and there are no known accidents, injuries, or deaths related to it.
Last fall, Daimler Truck North America recalled nearly 17,000 upfitted trucks for a similar issue, in that case related to the body builder upfits.
Dealers will update the brake light software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 24, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1018.