Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published May 11, 2021
Western Star 2022 49X Vehicles: Steering Shaft Separation Risk
Daimler Trucks North America recalls 2021-2022 Western Star 49X trucks with potential steering shaft separation causing loss of steering control. Owners must stop driving until inspected by dealer.
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling certain 2021-2022 Western Star 49X trucks because the steering shaft may have been improperly installed and could separate, leading to loss of steering control. This could increase crash risk if the vehicle is driven without repair. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/81188-western-star-2022-49x-vehicles-steering-shaft-separation-risk.
“Western Star 2022 49X Vehicles: Steering Shaft Separation Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 10, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/81188-western-star-2022-49x-vehicles-steering-shaft-separation-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #21V864000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V864000).
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC recalled certain Western Star 49X vehicles for a steering hazard, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on May 11, 2021. Owners should not drive their vehicles until dealers inspect and repair the steering shaft free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Western Star 49X, 2021-2022
What to do
Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the inspection has been performed. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and repair it, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712.
The hazard
The steering shaft may not have been properly installed, causing it to separate from the steering gear. This separation can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Daimler Trucks North America, LLC has issued 273 other recalls since July 6, 2011. Other recent recalls of similar products include Freightliner Business Class M2 Steering Recall (Feb. 4, 2026), Peterbilt 520 Steering Recall (Jan. 19, 2026), and Volvo 2026 VNL Steering Recall (July 9, 2026).
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your vehicle is a 2021-2022 Western Star 49X model. The recall was notified to owners via mail on January 12, 2022.
Brand
Western Star
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Stop Driving Until Inspected
Do not drive your vehicle until a dealer inspects and repairs the steering shaft if necessary.
Contact Dealer for Inspection
Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and repair it free of charge if needed.
Check Notification Letter
Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2022.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the inspection has been performed. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and repair it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is 905.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 8 months after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Western Star
We’ve drafted a message you can send Western Star to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V864000 — Western Star 2022 49X Vehicles: Steering Shaft Separation Risk
Hello,
I own a Western Star 2022 49X Vehicles: Steering Shaft Separation Risk that is covered by recall 21V864000 from Western Star.
The official recall notice states: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the inspection has been performed. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and repair it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is 905.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 10, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.