What Western Star 49X owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Western Star 49X 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 208 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 204 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 214 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 255 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 221 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Western Star 49X complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Steering wheel detached completely off the steering bar. Couldnât control vehicle and got into an accident
The oil pan is made out of plastic and the housing inside of it where the oil drain plug screws and tightens to came out while driving on freeway on an upward incline. This is the second time having to change the oil plan. It is made out of plastic and the housing that connects the pieces to the drain plug are not holding well with these and this can be dangerous with oil on free way and also vehicle starts to count down to turn it self off in the middle of busy free way and also a danger to the engine from loosing all the oil
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.
My Communications for New Daimler Truck Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Coming to Freightliner Plus and Western Star X-Series Vehicles
Technical Service Bulletin for J1939 Communication Errors with Cummins Engine Automated or Allison Transmission and Bendix Side Radar
CX Advocate for Cab/Chassis MFG Updates
CX Advocate for Incorrectly Enabled Bulb-Out w/ Body Builder Lighting Connection (TSB-54-385-FTL & TSB-54-105-WST).
Technical Service Bulletin for Backup Lamp Warning
Technical Service Bulletin for HVAC Stops Cooling
Detroit Transmissions Manual Update for Symptom Diagnostics â DT12 C/D Box Range Shift to Neutral with Reversing Events (Aborts)
Fleet Communications for eAxle Breather Hose Relocation to Reduce Water Intrusion Risk
CX Advocate for X-Series HD Front Suspension Threaded
CX Advocate for Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Rubbing
CX Advocate for Twin Steer Equalizer Beam Bushing Wear
Revised Warranty Information letter for missing chamber caging bolts
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 2017–2027, owners most often name: engine, steering. 2 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.