What Western Star 4900 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Western Star 4900 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 117 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 156 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 292 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 523 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 670 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 718 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 617 |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 677 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 660 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 628 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 550 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 549 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Western Star 4900 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Hi I had a trailer hitch failure yesterday causing the trailer to disconnect from the tow vehicle. The failure occurred at a faulty weld on the receiver hitch. The receiver hitch is a Angcosy one position hook mount 20,000 lb. 9" length model. Where the receiver tube is welded to the hitch mounting plate the weld failed causing the trailer to seperate from the tow vehicle. Upon examining the failed weld you could see there was no weld penetrating the hitch plate itself. Luckily I was moving the trailer on my property at a speed of 3 MPH, so no real damage done. I use this hitch for towing woodchippers and other car type trailers down the highway. If this would have occurred at highway speeds…
Center pin in front leaf springs is not long enough to enter hole in front axle which, keeps them from moving side to side and front to rear. This caused axle to move front and back egg shaping the spacers and causing u bolts to loosen. This could have been catastrophic if it had not been caught by mechanic after I noticed something not being right. The front axle could have folded under the weight of the truck had I had to apply the brakes hard to stop which could have caused a terrible accident. This has kept me in the shop for over a week. Now I have a huge bill and a truck note to pay because of negligence on behalf of western star trucks.There are other trucks that have experienced this…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 WESTERN STAR 4900SB. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND ATTEMPTING TO SET THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE DRIVER HAD TO REMOVE HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ACTIVATE THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS TO REMOVE HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREIGHTLINER NORTHWEST (13232 CASE RD SW, OYMPIA, WA), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED REGEN FUMES TO PENETRATE INSIDE THE TRUCK. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEADACHES, NAUSEA, EYE IRRITATION, AND DIS-ORIENTATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FUMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL LINE CRACKED AND BEGAN LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,471.
2014 WESTERN STAR 4900 CAR HAULER, JUST REPLACED 2 STEER TIRES TO 2014 MICHELIN XZA 275/70/R22.5 18 PLY. TIRE HAD LESS THEN 30,000 MILES AND PASSENGER SIDE BLOW OUT. FRONT DESTROYED. TRUCK WAS FULLY LOADED WITH ABOUT 75000 POUNDS. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND TRAVELED FROM LEFT LANE TO SHOULDER. CAME TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER. INSURANCE PAID ALMOST $30,000. *TR
FRONT TIRE PASSENGER SIDE BLOW OUT. MICHELIN XZA 2 275/0.22.5. WHOLE FRONT OF THE TRUCK DAMAGED. HOOD BROKEN IN 2 PARTS. FENDER FLEW OFF. LIGHT FLEW OFF. RIM DESTROYED. REPAIR COST $16,000 TIRE WAS CHANGED AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES. *TR
BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH ABOUT 60,000 ON ORIGINAL TIRES. PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW AT SPEED AROUND 66. HOOD WAS DESTROYED, TRUCK WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER. HAD ALMOST 1,000,000 IN CARGO ON TRUCK. HOOD AND OTHER PARTS WILL COST ABOUT $23,000 PLUS LABOR. ROAD SERVICE WAS $2,500. RIM WAS DESTROYED. TIRE SIZE 295/60/22.5 18 PLY THIS IS 4 TH BLOW OUT ON MY BRAND NEW TRUCKS. 2 PETE 388 AND 2 WESTERN STAR. ALL WITH SAME TIRE.MICHELIN XZA 2 ON ALL TRUCKS. WESTERN STAR BLOW OUT HAD 275/70/22.5. *TR
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
Technical Service Bulletin for StarNet Manuals Moving to Technical Literature
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
CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults
CX Advocate for turbo oil drain cracking
CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults
Technical Service Bulletin for GHG17 and Newer DD Platform Heavy Duty Oil Pan Drain Plug Inserts
CX Advocate for turbo oil drain cracking
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
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: structure, fuel/propulsion system, tires. 8 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.