Friday, August 7, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

Recall Query · Closed

SAM Cab Water Intrusion

Action number
RQ20001
Opened
Aug 31, 2020
Closed
Jun 26, 2025
Outcome
Closed without recall

Manufacturer: FREIGHTLINER LLC

What NHTSA is examining

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a recall query, RQ20001, to investigate the allegations of water intrusion into the truck cab signal-detect and activation module (SAM cab).The investigation further evaluated the effectiveness of the original recall remedy, and the installation of an updated drip shield as it relates to continual water intrusion resulting in the loss of electrical functions and potential fire.The potential hazard was the increased risk of a crash and injury in certain model year (MY) 2007-2021 Freightliner Cascadia P3 vehicles manufactured by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). ODI sent DTNA an information request (IR) letter on September 29, 2020.DTNA's November 20, 2020, IR response detailed how the company had implemented various improvements through recall 09V024 and multiple technical service bulletins (TSBs) to mitigate water intrusion.The effectiveness of new windshield seals and revisions to the drip shield is evident by the downward trend in claims rate from an average high of 7.64% in the beginning product life of Cascadia P3 (MYs 2007-2009), to 1.79% average for MYs 2011-2018, and down to 0.49% towards the end of the Cascadia P3 production.Moreover, the data shows that most failures occurred within the first three years of service with a significant downward trend thereafter. In view of the current overall low failure rate, the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward since model year…

Vehicles under investigation

2007 Freightliner Cascadia2008 Freightliner Cascadia2009 Freightliner Cascadia2010 Freightliner Cascadia2011 Freightliner Cascadia2012 Freightliner Cascadia2013 Freightliner Cascadia2014 Freightliner Cascadia2015 Freightliner Cascadia2016 Freightliner Cascadia2017 Freightliner Cascadia2018 Freightliner Cascadia2019 Freightliner Cascadia2020 Freightliner Cascadia2021 Freightliner Cascadia

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records, updated daily. An investigation is not a determination that a defect exists; many probes close without a recall.