NHTSA Complaint #11529649 — 2021 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA

I'd like to report the automatic braking device on our company semi tractor. I work for a large mega carrier hauling all types of freight, with triples and doubles combination trailers. We operate with Freightliners, Kenworths, and Internationals. The tractor tractor I use is a 2021 Freightliner equipped with a safety feature, an automatic braking system to avoid collisions for stopped or slowed traffic ahead. The issue is, it randomly brakes with no obstructions ahead. I've seen reports that you guys are looking into this. And I'm also informing you that our trucks deal with this issue as well. There's no defect warnings on the device's monitor system. No previous accidents that would cause issues to the device to have faulty sensor. The problem with the system, it sees a shadow on the road and it thinks theres a stopped vehicle, forcing the truck to hard apply the brakes. This can be extremely dangerous on inclement weather, more so on icy conditions. Few weeks ago, I traveled through the same part of the toll road like I always do, I know this spot activates the brakes 70-85% of the time during the night. That night, my trailers ABS light was on, when I approached the bad spot, all my brakes activated and almost caused my truck to jack-knife, lost full control but didn't crash, nor was anyone near me. But it would've been a different outcome if it was bad weather. When I approach this area, I always turn on my high beams to try to eliminate the shadow on the road. Where this happens: Indiana Toll Road 80-90, Elkhart IN, West bound lanes, right before exit 92. The overpass that causes this shadow is Johnson Street. You can see on Google street maps, where other trucks have had automatic braking activated, from seeing tire marks on the road. The lights around create that shadow at night. I would just like to inform you guys of my experiences. I have also reached out to INDOT about the issue, not sure if they looked into it. Reporting before a crash could happen.