NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Western Star 4900 Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 Western Star 4900 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Western Star dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Western Star 4900. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 Western Star 4900 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2020 Western Star 4900, describing incidents dated May 13, 2021.

Most-cited components

Suspension 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11418380 · Filed May 24, 2021
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…

Read the full complaint

Incompatible Tires and Rims/FMVSS 120

NHTSA #22V919000 · Wheels — Rim · NHTSA notice

Reported December 12, 2022 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 49 vehicles

Repair completion: 55.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-962 · Owners notified June 2, 2023

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Freightliner 114SD, 2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2020 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Western Star 4900, 2019-2023 Freightliner Business Class M2, and 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with tires that are not compatible with their 8.25-inch rims. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

Safety consequence

Driving with tires that are not compatible with their rims can reduce tire performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-962.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Unapproved Tire and Rim Combination/FMVSS 120

NHTSA #21V896000 · Tires · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 2021 · Daimler Trucks North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 307 vehicles

Repair completion: 45.6% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-908 · Owners notified April 22, 2022

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2021 Freightliner SD 108, Freightliner SD 114, 2016-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2013 Western Star 6900, 2013-2022 Western Star 4700, Western Star 4900, and 2022 49X vehicles. The tires and rims are not approved and rated for these vehicles from the Tire and Rim Association or tire manufacturer. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

Dealer will inspect and replace, as necessary, tires and rims, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall FL-908.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Incorrect GAWR on Certification Label/FMVSS 120

NHTSA #20V634000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 2020 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 53 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.02% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-864 · Owners notified November 25, 2020

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Western Star 4700 and 4900 and Freightliner Coronado, 108SD and 114SD vehicles. The vehicle certification label contains incorrect information, stating a Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) that exceeds the tire capacity rating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other than passenger cars."

Safety consequence

Incorrect weight rating information on the certification labels could result in potential overloading of the axles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install accurate GAWR labels, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-864.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lower Rear Pivot Cap Screws May Be Too Short

NHTSA #20V539000 · Suspension — Multiple Axle · NHTSA notice

Reported September 3, 2020 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 103 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.29% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-862 · Owners notified October 30, 2020

Defect description

Daimler Truckers North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD and Western Star 4700, and 4900 vehicles equipped with certain SL2065 steerable lift axles. The lower rear pivot cap screws may not be long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

Safety consequence

If the screws are not long enough to engage the corresponding nuts, the hardware may separate from the suspension system, becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower rear pivot cap screws for the proper length, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-862.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Incorrect GAWR on Certification Label/FMVSS 120

NHTSA #20V211000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported April 10, 2020 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 89 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.76% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL847 · Owners notified May 28, 2020

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020 Freightliner 108SD and 2020-2021 Freightliner Coronado, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 and 4900 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other Than Passenger Cars."

Safety consequence

An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the GAWR labels, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL847.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vent Windows May Detach

NHTSA #19V792000 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System — Rear Window · NHTSA notice

Reported November 4, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 2,725 vehicles

Repair completion: 75.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-836 · Owners notified September 21, 2020 · Vehicles built January 15, 2015 – October 29, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Western Star 4900 and 5700 vehicles equipped with sleeper cab vent windows. Due to improper adhesive, the vent window may detach from the vehicle.

Safety consequence

If the vent window detaches while the vehicle is in motion, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent windows, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 27, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-836.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Baggage/Sleeper Side Door May Separate from Hinge

NHTSA #19V722000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice

Reported October 10, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 2,547 vehicles

Repair completion: 79.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL834 · Owners notified September 21, 2020 · Vehicles built November 14, 2016 – September 10, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Western Star 4900 and 5700 vehicles. The adhesive bond may fail allowing the baggage or sleeper side door to separate from the hinges.

Safety consequence

A baggage or sleeper side door that separates from the vehicle while in motion can cause road debris, increasing the risk of an injury or crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners and dealers will install reinforcement clips with mechanical fasteners on each baggage and sleeper door hinge, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 6, 2019. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL834.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2020 Western Star 4900. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Western Star 4900.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11418380

Incident: May 13, 2021 · Filed: May 24, 2021

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 same problem and no cure found from western star not to mention how many truck are on the highway right now with the same issue like a ticking time bomb. They have denied responsibility for this but, the truck came from their factory this way and the new springs had the the same size center pin so, the mechanic had to find longer center pins that would actually go down into the axle. I have some pictures and crows truck center in Memphis did the work and we have kept all of the old parts. The mechanic notated his findings on the invoice.

Other Western Star 4900 model years

Check your 2020 Western Star 4900 VIN

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