NHTSA campaign 26V475 covers certain model-year 2026-2027 Freightliner and FCCC vehicles whose low beams may remain dim for several minutes after switching from high beams in elevated temperatures.
NHTSA acknowledged the safety recall on July 28
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration assigned campaign number 26V475 to a Daimler Trucks North America recall involving potentially 23,276 vehicles. The manufacturer report is dated July 22, 2026, and the federal acknowledgment is dated July 28. DTNA's manufacturer recall number is F1036. The population includes certain model-year 2026-2027 vehicles, so fleet records and VIN-specific lookup—not model name alone—should determine whether an individual unit is covered.
Four vehicle lines are listed
NHTSA lists 2026-2027 Freightliner EM2, Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner Custom Chassis S2C and Freightliner Custom Chassis S2RV vehicles. The Part 573 report says the covered vehicles were manufactured with specified headlamps containing a software error in thermal-protection firmware logic. Vehicles with different headlamps or headlamps without the error are outside the reported recall population.
The low beams can remain dim for several minutes
According to the Part 573 report, the condition can occur when the headlights operate in high-beam mode in elevated ambient temperatures and are then switched to low beam. Low-beam intensity may appear dim for several minutes before returning to full intensity. NHTSA's acknowledgment summarizes the problem as improper low-beam illumination caused by a software error.
Reduced illumination creates a visibility risk
NHTSA says insufficient low-beam illumination can reduce the driver's ability to see the road and increase crash risk. The manufacturer chronology says DTNA received a potentially related dealer report dated June 27, learned of a firmware error from the supplier in early July, and decided on July 17 that a safety risk existed. As of the recall filing, DTNA reported no potentially related crashes, injuries or deaths.
The remedy was still being prepared in the public filing
The NHTSA documents reviewed for this September 4 report state that the remedy was under development. DTNA's Part 573 filing says repairs will be performed free of charge by authorized Daimler Truck North America service facilities. The filing also says vehicles produced beginning July 16, 2026 would have headlamps with updated software. Owners and fleets should confirm the current remedy and parts or software procedure with an authorized service facility rather than relying on a general description.
Owner letters are planned for September 20
The NHTSA acknowledgment says owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 20, 2026. The Part 573 report describes that date as the planned remedy-owner notification date. A mailed letter is not the only way to act: fleets can review asset records now, run each VIN through the official NHTSA recall lookup, contact an authorized DTNA facility and document the response.
How to screen a mixed fleet
Export the active equipment list and flag 2026-2027 EM2, Business Class M2, S2C and S2RV units for VIN lookup. Include leased, newly delivered, spare and temporarily assigned vehicles. Save the lookup date and result, recall number 26V475, DTNA number F1036, dealer contact, appointment status and completion record. Repeat the check for vehicles not yet recognized by a system and after ownership or registration records change.
Drivers should report abnormal headlamp behavior precisely
A driver who observes dim low beams, delayed recovery after changing from high beams, unequal illumination or a lighting warning should choose a safe place to stop and notify the carrier. Record ambient conditions, beam selection, duration, dashboard messages, unit number and whether the problem repeated. Do not attempt an unauthorized software change or substitute high beams where they would blind other road users. Follow the carrier's safety process and the manufacturer's current instructions.
Recall work and daily inspections serve different purposes
A VIN-specific recall remedy addresses the identified firmware condition; it does not replace pre-trip and en-route checks for broken lenses, failed lamps, wiring faults, contamination or collision damage. Likewise, a lamp that appears normal during a yard test does not prove that a VIN subject to the recall has received the remedy. Fleets need both the recall-completion record and normal inspection and maintenance documentation.
Contacts and primary-source note
Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 and reference F1036. NHTSA lists its Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 and provides the official VIN lookup at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This report is based on NHTSA's July 28 acknowledgment and DTNA's Part 573 filing, reviewed September 4, 2026. The VIN result, current manufacturer instructions and any amended NHTSA filing control over this summary.
Continue with CDL Truck Pro
Official sources
NHTSA recall acknowledgment 26V475, July 28, 2026DTNA Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V475NHTSA VIN recall lookupCDL Truck Pro provides educational information. Confirm licensing, safety, tax, and regulatory requirements through current official sources and qualified professionals.