NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Western Star 6900 Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 Western Star 6900 has 6 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 2006 Western Star 6900. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2006 Western Star 6900 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2006 Western Star 6900, describing incidents dated December 27, 2009.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10314270 · Filed February 23, 2010
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE IN FLORIDA WHEN HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VARIOUS LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND MY HORTON FAN HUB ASSEMBLY HAD COME OFF AND CREATED A LEAK IN THE…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Western Star 6900 in 1 investigation. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Audit Query AQ18-002: Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
Closed July 11, 2024

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Insufficient Air Reservoir Volume/FMVSS 121

NHTSA #19V370000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Reservoir/Tank · NHTSA notice

Reported May 14, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 741 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-815 · Owners notified June 25, 2021 · Vehicles built November 29, 2015 – December 12, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have an insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Safety consequence

An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add air reservoir capacity to the affected vehicles. Owner letters were mailed on November 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-815.

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.

Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable

NHTSA #17V810000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 2017 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC

Potentially affected: 24,860 vehicles

Repair completion: 0.92% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign FL-759 · Owners notified April 11, 2018 · Vehicles built July 11, 2001 – August 19, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

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.

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE

NHTSA #12V074000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Diesel · NHTSA notice

Reported February 28, 2012 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 103,437 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12C-2 · Owners notified April 27, 2012

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.

Safety consequence

A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

DTNA'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12C-2.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/CATERPILLAR

NHTSA #09V366000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported September 23, 2009 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 25,362 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-558 · Owners notified May 5, 2009 · Vehicles built April 1, 2003 – June 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.

Safety consequence

AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REMEDY THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-020. CATERPILLAR WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-558. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

REAR SLACK ADJUSTER CRACKING

NHTSA #07V571000 · Service Brakes, Air — Slack Adjusters · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2007 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 31 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-518 · Owners notified July 31, 2008 · Vehicles built January 1, 2005 – January 31, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH SISU FR2P-21, SISU FR2P-26, SISU FR3P-33, OR SISU FR3P-48 REAR AXLES, A COUNTER-BORE MACHINED IN BOTH ENDS OF THE WORM WHEEL OPENING OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING REDUCES MATERIAL THICKNESS BETWEEN THE WORM WHEEL OPENING AND THE WORM SHAFT OPENING. UNDER NORMAL SERVICE A CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THIS AREA RENDERING THE SLACK ADJUSTER INOPERABLE AND REDUCING BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.

Safety consequence

REDUCED VEHICLE BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SLACK ADJUSTERS, AND REPLACE THE ADJUSTER IF FOUND DEFECTIVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-518.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/OIL LEAK

NHTSA #06V030000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported February 8, 2006 · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Potentially affected: 5,771 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-471 · Owners notified April 17, 2006 · Vehicles built April 9, 2004 – October 7, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR DIESEL ENGINES, THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY WEAR AGAINST THE SHARP EDGE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD IF NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY.

Safety consequence

THE OIL LINE MAY BE CUT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING AN OIL LEAK AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

CATERPILLAR, IN CONJUNCTION WITH FREIGHTLINER, WILL BE CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CALL CATERPILLAR AT 309-675-6496, OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-471.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2006 Western Star 6900. 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 2006 Western Star 6900.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10314270

Incident: December 27, 2009 · Filed: February 23, 2010

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE IN FLORIDA WHEN HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VARIOUS LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND MY HORTON FAN HUB ASSEMBLY HAD COME OFF AND CREATED A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE WHICH I FOUND AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. I AM CURRENTY CONSUMING 7 GALLONS OF ANTIFREEZE A WEEK DUE TO THE FAN HUB OVERHEATING THE ENGINE.

Other Western Star 6900 model years

Check your 2006 Western Star 6900 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Western Star 6900 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Western Star VIN