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Western Star 4900Years to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 84 safety recalls on record for the Western Star 4900.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints17Top: TiresSafety recalls841998–2023 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Western Star 4900 years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4900 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2023Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls2022Not rated–/1000 complaints · 7 recalls2021Not rated–/1000 complaints · 9 recalls2020Not rated–/1001 complaint · 8 recalls2019Not rated–/1001 complaint · 15 recalls2018Not rated–/1000 complaints · 16 recalls2017Not rated–/1000 complaints · 16 recalls2016Not rated–/1000 complaints · 10 recalls2015Not rated–/1001 complaint · 14 recalls2014Not rated–/1003 complaints · 11 recalls2013Not rated–/1000 complaints · 8 recalls2012Not rated–/1001 complaint · 8 recalls2011Not rated–/1001 complaint · 14 recalls2010Not rated–/1000 complaints · 14 recalls2009Not rated–/1001 complaint · 16 recalls2008Not rated–/1000 complaints · 17 recalls2007Not rated–/1000 complaints · 14 recalls2006Not rated–/1001 complaint · 10 recalls2005Not rated–/1002 complaints · 7 recalls2004Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls2003Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls2002Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls2001Not rated–/1002 complaints · 3 recalls2000Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1999Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1998Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Western Star 4900 problems

All model years combined: 17 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires52
Structure41
Wheels20
Fuel/propulsion system21
Suspension20
Visibility20
Service brakes10
Exterior lighting10
Visibility/wiper10
5 other systems51
84 recalls

Western Star 4900 recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Other: labels26V-736 · 2020 · Nov 6, 2026 · 7 vehicles62%Parking brake24V-013 · 2023 · Jan 10, 2024 · 149 vehicles48%Linkages: tie rod assembly23V-238 · 2023 · Apr 4, 2023 · 306 vehicles47%Tires22V-919 · 2019–2022 · Dec 12, 2022 · 49 vehicles67%Linkages: tie rod assembly22V-722 · 2023 · Sep 28, 2022 · 36 vehicles55%Other: labels22V-338 · 2022 · May 16, 2022 · 185 vehicles100%Seat belts: critical fasteners22V-269 · 2022 · Apr 20, 2022 · 3 vehicles100%Supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings22V-205 · 2023 · Mar 30, 2022 · 13 vehicles67%Gear box: shaft sector21V-946 · 2021–2022 · Dec 8, 2021 · 21 vehicles31%Tires21V-896 · 2013–2022 · Nov 17, 2021 · 307 vehicles51%Electrical system: wiring21V-882 · 2017–2019 · Nov 12, 2021 · 6,100 vehicles77%Linkages: tie rod assembly21V-369 · 2021–2022 · May 19, 2021 · 8,482 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 84 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

2 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the 4900

  1. Daimler Trucks North America RecallsAQ18002 · 2002–2018 · closed Jul 11, 2024
    No recall
  2. INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHINGPE07047 · 2006–2008 · closed Nov 19, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-530