2014 Western Star 4900Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 2014 Western Star 4900, most often about the structure. It is covered by 11 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-810 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 22, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2014 Western Star 4900 has problems

3 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
Structure21
Exterior lighting10
Tires11
Trailer hitches10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

11 recalls

2014 Western Star 4900 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

31%repaired · 2024 Q1

Tires

Recall 21V-896 · Nov 17, 2021 · 307 vehicles · 96 repaired

Risk. Unapproved tires that are not rated for the vehicle can cause tire performance issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

70%repaired · 2020 Q4

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 18V-503 · Jul 31, 2018 · 1,256 vehicles · 879 repaired

Risk. A tie-rod failure would cause a disconnect between the front wheels, resulting in a loss of steering ability, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

73%repaired · 2020 Q2

Service brakes, air

Recall 18V-351 · May 29, 2018 · 640 vehicles · 466 repaired

Risk. Front brake hose chafing may causing air loss, possibly reducing braking effectiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

1%repaired · 2019 Q3

Equipment

Recall 17V-810 · Dec 15, 2017 · 24,860 vehicles · 228 repaired

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 7 more recalls
72%repaired · 2019 Q3

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 17V-761 · Nov 27, 2017 · 438,255 vehicles · 316,205 repaired

Risk. If the brake lights fail to illuminate, there would not be a signal to other motorists that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

71%repaired · 2018 Q2

Seat belts

Recall 16V-711 · Oct 5, 2016 · 1,944 vehicles · 1,389 repaired

Risk. If the plate has a hole that is too big, the plate may fail when it stressed such as in the event of a crash, preventing the seat belt from adequately…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2016 Q3

Equipment

Recall 15V-182 · Mar 27, 2015 · 2,226 vehicles · 845 repaired

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not work correctly, there is an increased risk of injury to the truck occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

33%repaired · 2016 Q1

Service brakes, air: antilock

Recall 14V-527 · Sep 3, 2014 · 3 vehicles · 1 repaired

Risk. When not equipped with ABS, the affected vehicles have a greater chance of wheel lock up when braking, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

51%repaired · 2015 Q3

Seat belts

Recall 14V-150 · Mar 28, 2014 · 938 vehicles · 478 repaired

Risk. If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

74%repaired · 2015 Q2

Seat belts

Recall 13V-604 · Nov 29, 2013 · 26,310 vehicles · 19,423 repaired

Risk. If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

37%repaired · 2015 Q2

Front: anchorage

Recall 13V-401 · Sep 5, 2013 · 650 vehicles · 241 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Western Star.

Best & worst years

2014 vs. every other 4900 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 4900 median. How we score

'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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2014 Western Star 4900, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Daimler Trucks North America RecallsAQ18002 · closed Jul 11, 2024
    No recall
In owners' words

What 4900 owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10658759 · Nov 17, 2014 · 102,000 miles
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
Complaint 10652378 · Nov 4, 2014 · 115,000 miles

Own a 2014 4900?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.