2020 FREIGHTLINER 114SD

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2020 Freightliner 114SD shows significant reliability concerns largely due to its high number of recalls, particularly involving critical systems such as the fuel system and electrical components. The peak failure mileage of 0-20k indicates that these issues may present themselves very early in the vehicle's life cycle, making it essential for both current owners and potential buyers to remain vigilant.

Key Factor:Numerous critical recalls

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

The extensive recall history for the 2020 Freightliner 114SD is particularly alarming, especially given the implications of failures in vital systems like fuel and electrical components. Issues such as engine stalling from chafed harness wires can pose serious safety risks not only to the driver but also to other road users. Buyers should weigh this information heavily when considering their purchase, as a single failure could potentially lead to costly repairs or worse, accidents on the road.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

Year-over-year, the Freightliner brand has established itself as a strong performer in heavy-duty trucks; however, this model year’s recall issues indicate a troubling trend. The sheer volume of recalls suggests a deviation from expected manufacturing quality standards and raises questions about reliability compared to peers in its class.

Safety & Reliability Score

0/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-96
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-20

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 FREIGHTLINER 114SD

Model Year2020
MakeFREIGHTLINER
Model114SD
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more β†’
Nov13
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar20
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar20
RECALLRecall Issued
Oct20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jul21
RECALLRecall Issued
Dec22
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
May25
RECALLRecall Issued
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No Consumer Complaints Reported

Great news! There are currently no consumer complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2020 FREIGHTLINER 114SD. This is a positive indicator of owner satisfaction.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMEQUIPMENTENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFUEL SYSTEM, DIESELTIRESSUSPENSIONSERVICE BRAKES, AIRWHEELSSTEERING

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Electrical System

Issue: Chafing wires may cause engine stalling without warning.

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Inspect wiring around the air compressor and frame rail immediately.

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Request detailed service records regarding any electrical system inspections or repairs.

Campaigns:21V06700020V037000
2

Fuel System

Issue: 'Potential stalling risks from damaged wiring' based on recalls.

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'Ensure fuel system components have been inspected.'

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'Inquire about any repairs related to fuel system warnings.'

Campaigns:21V067000
πŸ’‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your FREIGHTLINER dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (12)

Campaign: 20V525000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Summary

Fontaine Modification (Fontaine) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Autohaulers built on Freightliner 114SD chassis. Movement of the cab during operation may cause the battery cable to contact the bottom of the cab, possibly damaging the cable.

Consequence

Damage to the cable can result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Fontaine will notify owners, and dealers will ensure that the cable cannot be damaged, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Fontaine customer service at 1-800-366-8246.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Fontaine Modification

Campaign: 20V634000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Western Star 4700 and 4900 and Freightliner Coronado, 108SD and 114SD vehicles. The vehicle certification label contains incorrect information, stating a Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) that exceeds the tire capacity rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other than passenger cars."

Consequence

Incorrect weight rating information on the certification labels could result in potential overloading of the axles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install accurate GAWR labels, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-864.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Campaign: 20V527000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 108SD, and Business Class M2 vehicles. The engine harness wires may chafe at various locations around the air compressor and the frame rail. The damaged wires may short causing the engine to stall without any prior warning.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for adequate harness clearance and verify that the harness has not been damaged. Vehicles with a damaged harness will receive a new harness that consists of a severe duty wrapping and additional hardware. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-860.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Campaign: 20V211000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020 Freightliner 108SD and 2020-2021 Freightliner Coronado, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 and 4900 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other Than Passenger Cars."

Consequence

An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the GAWR labels, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL847.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Campaign: 21V326000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Freightliner Custom Chass XC Chassis, 108SD, Custom Chass XB Chassis, Business Class M2, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel lines, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-886.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Campaign: 21V896000

TIRES

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2021 Freightliner SD 108, Freightliner SD 114, 2016-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2013 Western Star 6900, 2013-2022 Western Star 4700, Western Star 4900, and 2022 49X vehicles. The tires and rims are not approved and rated for these vehicles from the Tire and Rim Association or tire manufacturer. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

Consequence

Unapproved tires that are not rated for the vehicle can cause tire performance issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealer will inspect and replace, as necessary, tires and rims, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall FL-908.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Campaign: 21V965000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Freightliner 114SD, 2021-2022 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Cascadia P4, 2022 Western Star 47X, 2021 Western Star WF110, 2020 Western Star WJ121, and 2019-2021 FCCC XCP Chassis vehicles. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.

Consequence

A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel tubes, and install vibration isolators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-915.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Campaign: 20V539000

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

Summary

Daimler Truckers North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD and Western Star 4700, and 4900 vehicles equipped with certain SL2065 steerable lift axles. The lower rear pivot cap screws may not be long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

Consequence

If the screws are not long enough to engage the corresponding nuts, the hardware may separate from the suspension system, becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower rear pivot cap screws for the proper length, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-862.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Campaign: 20V127000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700 and 5700, Freightliner Custom Chassis S2, Custom Chassis XB, and Custom Chassis XC vehicles equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

Consequence

Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-845.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Campaign: 22V919000

WHEELS:RIM

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Freightliner 114SD, 2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2020 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Western Star 4900, 2019-2023 Freightliner Business Class M2, and 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with tires that are not compatible with their 8.25-inch rims. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

Consequence

Driving with tires that are not compatible with their rims can reduce tire performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-962.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Campaign: 23V105000

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Columbia, Coronado, Business Class M2, and 2020 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The drag link taper joint may not have been tightened sufficiently and could come loose, resulting in a complete separation of the drag link from the steering arm.

Consequence

Drag link separation can cause a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will inspect the drag link taper joint and repair it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL967. This recall expands recall number 21V-689.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Campaign: 25V760000

SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Summary

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner 108SD, 2021-2026 Western Star 47X, 2021-2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2022 Western Star 48X, and 2023 Western Star 4700 vehicles. The axle clamp fasteners may be loose, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Consequence

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 3, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1027.

Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

4 investigations

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2020 114SD.

INV-2020-1000🟒 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding 114SD performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 38,196
INV-2020-1001🟒 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding 114SD performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 51,754
INV-2020-1002🟒 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding 114SD performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 29,088
INV-2020-1003🟒 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding 114SD performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 16,448

Consumer Complaints

0 complaints
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No consumer complaints recorded for this vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

'What are common issues with the 2020 Freightliner 114SD?'

'Common concerns include multiple recalls focused on electrical wiring and fuel system failures which could lead to engine stalling. Prospective buyers should conduct comprehensive checks on these systems before making any purchasing decisions.'

'Is the Freightliner brand reliable based on recent models?'

'While Freightliner has built a reputation for durability in heavy-duty trucks, this model year’s significant recall frequency raises concerns about their manufacturing quality during that period. This necessitates close examination of specific vehicles before purchase.'

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official FREIGHTLINER records to ensure no 12 recalls remain open.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in FREIGHTLINER's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Critical: Demand official documentation showing every FREIGHTLINER recall has been satisfied.
  • Investigate whether later 114SD iterations (2021+) rectified these persistent issues.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a FREIGHTLINER specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.