218,000 Daimler Trucks Affected by Brake Recall

Michael S. Callahan | | Uncategorized
218,000 Daimler Trucks Affected by Brake Recall

Daimler Truck North America just issued a massive recall affecting an estimated 218,147 trucks due to brake issues. The recall involves certain Freightliner and Western Star models. According to a safety recall report done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, chemical corrosion could lessen the functionality of the trucks’ brake modulator valves, causing a brake pull.

What is a Brake Pull?

A brake pull is an issue that causes a vehicle to pull to one side while the driver is braking. It can be caused by a number of issues, including chemical corrosion. Brake pulls are dangerous because they can cause a vehicle to quickly change direction or move to the side.

This issue is especially dangerous when it occurs in trucks and 18-wheelers, due to the size and weight of commercial motor vehicles. The trucks’ brake corrosion defect could result in uneven braking on the front axle, which could cause the truck to swerve and strike a passenger vehicle.

The Recalled Models

The brake recall affects more than 218,000 Daimler trucks, across a number of model types. The affected models are:

  • 2021 Freightliner 108SD
  • 2022 Freightliner 114SD
  • 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia
  • 2020-2022 Freightliner Business Class M2
  • 2021-2023 Western Star 47X
  • 2020-2023 Western Star 49X
  • 2021-2022 Western Star 57X

Other Daimler Recalls

This recall is not the first time Daimler has posed safety issues in recent years. More than 400,000 of their commercial motor vehicles were recalled in 2018 due to brake light failure. In July of 2020, Daimler issued another recall affecting an estimated 183,000 Freightliner Cascadias for another brake corrosion issue, replacing defective pieces with painted ones to mitigate the corrosion that occurred from the exposure to road salt. Another 142,110 Freightliner Cascadias were recalled in October of 2020 due to brake light problems caused by brake pressure switch malfunctions.

Last year, a recall affecting 19,000 Daimler trucks was issued after a tie rod defect that could lead to loss of steering control was discovered in the axle assembly factory. And in September of this year, 460 Freightliner Cascadias were recalled due to misdirected exhaust tips causing the vehicle’s underbody mechanics to melt and catch fire.

The Dangers of Defective Trucks

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates that commercial motor vehicles drive over 300 million miles per year. Trucks with defective parts can pose a major threat to everyday drivers. If the brakes do not function properly, trucks can rear-end other vehicles, or swerve into another vehicle. If brake lights don’t work, drivers behind 18-wheelers won’t be able to tell when the truck is stopping or slowing down. If truck drivers lose steering control, they can drive into other peoples’ lanes, and even swerve into oncoming traffic.

The average loaded tractor trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded. The mass of these vehicles is much larger than that of smaller passenger vehicles, meaning that accidents involving 18-wheelers are often much more catastrophic than those not. If trucking companies do not ensure their vehicles are safe to drive, the consequences can be deadly.

Finding Solutions

Despite there having been no known accidents or injuries attributed to these recalls, the hazards posed by all of these major recall issues has experts majorly concerned. The NHTSA fined Daimler $30 million in civil penalties for slow recall reporting in December of 2020, the highest penalty issued by the administration since 2015. In addition, they mandated that Daimler create and present a plan to fix their safety issues and the analysis of hazards within 90 days in order to get half of the penalties forgiven.

In order to remedy the latest brake corrosion situation, drivers of affected vehicles are to take the trucks to Daimler Trucks service facilities, where the vehicle will receive an anodized valve. Drivers who believe if their vehicle is affected by the recall should contact the NHTSA.

—

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a defective truck, contact The Callahan Law Firm today. Our Texas Truck Accident Lawyers have been successfully representing injured people and their families for over 25 years, and we can help you too. Give us a call at 713-224-9000, or fill out our contact form here.