NHTSA closes probe into 2020–2025 Freightliner E-Cascadia and EM2: EVDM connector plate separation
On November 5, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24032) into 2020–2025 Freightliner E-Cascadia and EM2, concerning the electrical system. A Preliminary Evaluation is the first formal stage of an NHTSA defect investigation: ODI gathers information from the manufacturer and from owner reports to decide whether to close the case or take it further. ODI closed the preliminary evaluation on June 10, 2025.
- Action
- PE24032 (Preliminary Evaluation)
- Status
- Closed June 10, 2025
- Component
- Electrical System
- Listed
- 9 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Freightliner |
|---|---|
| Models | E-Cascadia, EM2 |
| Model years | 2020–2025 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on November 6, 2024, to investigate Electric Vehicle Distribution Module (EVDM) connector plate separation on model year (MY) 2020-2025 Freightliner eCascadia and MY2022-2025 Freightliner eM2 electric trucks. The EVDM connector plate contains multiple safety-related circuits including Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), stability control and vehicle protective mechanisms to de-energize the high-voltage propulsion system. In January 2025, prior to Daimler Truck North America's (DTNA) final response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, DTNA conducted controlled testing of the EVDM. The final test results demonstrated that in certain circumstances of EVDM separation, the vehicle may lose motive power without prior warning to the driver. Based on the EVDM testing results, DTNA filed a recall (NHTSA ID 25V-046). This recall covers MY2020-2025 Freightliner eCascadia and MY2022-2026 Freightliner eM2 electric trucks. These vehicles will have the EVDM replaced if the plate shows separation from the housing. The recall chronology identified that DTNA had received nine warranty claims and six field reports for this issue. This Preliminary Evaluation has been closed as a result of the manufacturer filing recall 25V-046. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for PE24032, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
What owners have reported
Owners filed 0 complaints with NHTSA about the model years in this investigation. These are all complaints on file for those vehicles, about any problem, not only this one; complaints are unverified owner reports.
| Vehicle | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 E-Cascadia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 E-Cascadia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 E-Cascadia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 E-Cascadia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 E-Cascadia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 E-Cascadia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 EM2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 EM2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 EM2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related recalls
NHTSA links these recall campaigns to PE24032.
Timeline
- ODI opens preliminary evaluation PE24032
- NHTSA recall 25V046000 (recall date)
- ODI closes PE24032
What this means for owners
- ODI closes an investigation when a recall addresses the issue or when it does not find enough evidence to continue. NHTSA’s closing report gives the reason; the recalls above are the ones NHTSA links to it.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search PE24032 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.