Complaints prompt NHTSA investigation of automatic brakes on Daimler trucks

Complaints of false automatic emergency braking activation has prompted an investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA has launched an investigation on certain Freightliner and Western Star trucks.

On May 26, NHTSA opened an investigation on 2017-22 Freightliner Cascadia and 2017-22 Western Star 5700 trucks. Approximately 250,000 trucks may be affected by the investigation.

According to NHTSA documents, the automatic emergency braking system may have a defect. Specifically, the system on the trucks may inaccurately identify an object and command the vehicle to stop unexpectedly, resulting in a hazard to other motorists.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 18 vehicle owner questionnaires that allege errors in the automatic emergency braking system. Drivers are reporting that the system is activated despite no actual roadway obstacle in the way. The reports indicate the truck will apply the service brakes without warning or input from the driver. Applications range from momentary, partial application with little loss of speed to full application, which brings the vehicle to a complete stop in the travel lane.

There are no known crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the automatic emergency braking system. A preliminary evaluation has been opened to determine whether the issue “creates an unreasonable risk to safety,” according to NHTSA.

A Daimler Trucks North America spokesperson sent Land Line the following statement:

“Daimler Truck North America is fully committed to the development of life-saving technologies such as (automatic emergency braking) that have the potential to greatly improve roadway safety. The company shares the same mission as NHTSA to reduce fatal crashes and serious injuries, and looks forward to continued collaboration with the agency to review AEB technology and the upcoming regulation and test procedures that are being developed for the industry by NHTSA.”

NHTSA proposals

In related news, NHTSA announced on May 31, a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring automatic emergency braking systems.

According to a news release, the proposed requirement includes automatic emergency braking and pedestrian automatic emergency braking systems on passenger cars and light trucks. NHTSA claims the proposed rule will “dramatically reduce crashes” involving pedestrians and rear-end collisions.

NHTSA says its proposal to require automatic braking systems on passenger cars and trucks will save “at least 360 lives a year.” The agency also predicts that the mandate would decrease traffic injuries by 24,000 annually.

“We take an important step forward to save lives and make our roadways safer for all Americans,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Just as lifesaving innovations from previous generations like seat belts and air bags have helped improve safety, requiring automatic emergency braking on cars and trucks would keep all of us safer on our roads.”

If adopted as proposed, nearly all U.S. vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less will be required to have automatic emergency braking technology three years after the publication of a final rule.

Although the proposed rule affects light vehicles only, a separate proposal for heavy-duty vehicles is underway. As of press time in early June, the proposal regarding heavy-duty vehicles remained under review at the White House Office of Management and Budget. The specifics of the notice haven’t been released, but previous regulatory agendas state that it “will seek comments on a proposal to require and/or standardize equipment performance for automatic emergency braking on heavy trucks.”

Carlson’s nomination withdrawn

The White House withdrew the nomination of Ann Carlson to be NHTSA’s administrator.

Carlson was nominated for the role in February but faced significant Republican opposition. She has served NHTSA as the acting administrator since September.

Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s previous administrator, left the agency to become executive officer for the California Air Resources Board. LL

Land Line’s Mark Schremmer contributed to this report.