Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2006 Western Star 4900
NHTSA data on file today
The 2006 Western Star 4900 has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #17V810000 Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V074000 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V478000 DIESEL FUEL LEAK/DETROIT DIESEL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V146000 GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V391000 PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V366000 VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/CATERPILLAR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V113000 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V571000 REAR SLACK ADJUSTER CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V530000 FIFTH WHEEL LEVER PIVOT BOLTS/HOLLAND SIMPLEX NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V030000 VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/OIL LEAK NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility 1 complaint
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $15,000–$25,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2006 Western Star 4900 has several recalls, particularly related to the engine, fuel system, and braking components, indicating potential reliability issues. The widespread recall on engine cooling and fuel line components suggests frequent problems, pushing the overall reliability to below average.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel line | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| engine oil line | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| slack adjuster | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake system inspection
- Air filter replacement
- Transmission service
- Cooling system flush
- Fuel system service
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Oil leaks near engine
- Fuel odor or leaks
- Brake pedal sponginess
- Unusual engine noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2006 Western Star 4900 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.