What Western Star 4700 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Western Star 4700 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 163 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 301 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 529 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 677 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 721 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 620 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 685 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 682 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 644 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 571 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 565 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Western Star 4700 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Automated emergency breaking ABS Forward collision warning, potentially others. Unsure if the vehicle is available for inspection due to insurance claim. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Collision mitigation system error. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Police and Insurance representative. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, vehicle was sent to a certified manufacturer maintenance partner for ac…
The contact owns a 2024 Western Star 4700. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V326000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Western Star utilizes relay in master power distribution, they call PNDB. When this device is faulty it interrupts the power to engine causing truck engine to shut down. This shut down has happened with the truck fully loaded (71,000 LBS) traveling at 60 mph a couple of times. With no engine power you lose power steering. This is a very dangerous condition that I have discovered is more common than it should be. Talk to any Western Star service department. The Service Department knew exactly what the problem was and related to me this is common.
The contact owns a 2021 Western Star 4700 WD110084S. The contact stated that an employee was parked on a hill and the parking brake was activated, however, while the worker was outside of the vehicle for approximately 4 minutes, the parking brake was deactivated. The vehicle rolled forward down a hill and stopped when it crashed into a tree. There was yard damage to a resident's home. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the entire cab was replaced. The contact discovered an unknown NHTSA Campaign, however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact was driving the company's vehicle which was a 2018 Western Star 4700. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph at a curve and suddenly the front passenger tire began to wobble. The contact lost control of the vehicle's steering ability. The contact stated the vehicle began to lose complete control and then flipped over to the right side. The air bags did not deploy. The contact had injuries to their shoulder and medical attention was not needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle had not been deemed totaled. The contact stated they were told by the owner of the vehicle that the dealer was made aware of the failure, however, the diagnos…
THERE IS BINDING ON STEERING WHEEL DURING THE STATIC STEERING OF THE TRUCK ON THE PAVEMENT AT STATIONARY POSITION. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN TUCK IS LOADED, OR HAS A FRONT ATTACHMENT, SUCH AS OUR SNOW-PLOWS. THE SITUATION CAUSES CONCERN TO OPERATORS WHEN THEY ARE PARKING AND OR MOVING IN WITHIN THE YARD.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Parts Bulletin for Fluorosilicone Fuel Tank Cap Seals
CX Advocate for discolored coolant surge tanks (24CSA-20)
Technical Service Bulletin for TufTrac M12 Bolts
CX Advocate for ConMet Oil Pan Insert Additional Issues
Revised Customer Service Annoucement for No Trouble Found Heavy Duty Engine Product (HDEP) Oil Separator Leaks
Parts Bulletin for Tie Rod Assembly Part Breakdown
Service Solution for DT12 Oil Plug Ports
CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults
CX Advocate for turbo oil drain cracking
CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults
CX Advocate for turbo oil drain cracking
CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). NHTSA subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and compliance with early warning reporting and manufacturer communications reporting requirements. NHTSA and DTNA entered into a Consent Order on December 29, 2020, to reso
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles had allegedly experienced a fracture of one or more support brackets resulting in an unsecured air brake reservoir. This could result in a loss of air pressure necessary for proper service brake application and a potential road hazard if the reservoir separates from the vehicle in operation. By letter dated August 15, 2012, Daimler Trucks North
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2024, owners most often name: electrical system, forward collision avoidance, service brakes. 6 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.