NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Western Star Conventional Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Western Star Conventional has 3 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 1996 Western Star Conventional. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1996 Western Star Conventional owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1996 Western Star Conventional, describing incidents dated December 4, 1998.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 1 complaint
The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #543443 · Filed
REAR DRIVE AXLE CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
WESTERN STAR/SUSPENSION
NHTSA #96V124003 · Suspension · NHTSA notice
Reported August 1, 1996 · WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Potentially affected: 36 vehicles
Vehicles built August 3, 1995 – March 18, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
THE EQUALIZING BEAM SHAFT OF THE TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION WERE MANUFACTURED FROM AS-ROLLED SAE4140 STEEL RATHER THAN THE SPECIFIED ANNEALED SAE4140. THESE SHAFTS CAN FRACTURE INSIDE THE BEAM AT THE TOE OF THE WELD.
Safety consequence
VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE TILT AND POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IN THE EVENT THAT BOTH EQUALIZING BEAMS, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCE A SIMULTANEOUS SHAFT FAILURE. AFFECTED SUSPENSIONS CAN ALSO DROP AND CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE GENERATING SPARKS WHICH COULD IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL SUSPENSION SUSPENSION BEAMS WITH SUSPENSION BEAMS CONTAINING APPROPRIATE SHAFTS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK AND BEGAN JULY 18, 1996.NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NEWAY AT 1-800-237-8932.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Electrical System — Wiring — Interior/Under Dash
Reported June 17, 1996 · WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Potentially affected: 325 vehicles
Owners notified June 14, 1996 · Vehicles built January 1, 1996 – June 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CAN INTERFERE WITH THE MAIN CAB DASH HARNESS WHICH PASSES BEHIND THE CENTER DASH SECTION. THE WIPER ARM CAN WEAR THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Safety consequence
IN ELECTRONIC ENGINES (CATERPILLAR ONLY) OR DDA ENGINES, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP. IF THE ENGINE WERE TO STOP SUDDENLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND MANEUVERING THROUGH TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS ROUTING.
Notes
SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; WIRING; HARNESS; UNDER DASH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS AND TRUCK/TRACTORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JUNE 28, 1996. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT WESTERN STAR AT 1-604-868-6222. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Service Brakes, Air
Reported March 27, 1996 · WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Potentially affected: 12 vehicles
Owners notified May 21, 1996 · Vehicles built August 1, 1995 – January 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THESE TRUCKS WERE NOT BUILT WITH INVERSION VALVES DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR. THE INVERSION VALVE PROVIDES MODULATED SPRING BRAKE APPLICATION DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING WHEN THE "A" PORTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED.
Safety consequence
IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INVERSION VALVE IN THESE VEHICLES.
Notes
SYSTEM: BRAKES; AIR SYSTEMS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STRAIGHT TRUCKS, TRUCK/FULL TRAILER, OR LOGGING TRUCK APPLICATIONS.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT WESTERN STAR AT 1-604-860-3319. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Western Star Conventional model years
Check your 1996 Western Star Conventional VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Western Star Conventional at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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