Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Western Star 4900
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Western Star 4900 has 16 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 #17V761000 Brake Lights May Not Activate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V401000 Seatbelt Anchorage Point may be Weak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V235000 POWER CABLE CLEARANCE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V074000 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V287000 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V207000 COMBUSTION TUBE/CATERPILLAR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V146000 GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V341000 GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V339000 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V112000 UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUTDOWN NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V400000 GRID HEATER/DETROIT DIESEL DD15 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V390000 FUEL PUMP FASTENERS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V391000 PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V366000 VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE/CATERPILLAR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V226000 POWER CABLE CLEARANCE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $12,000–$25,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Western Star 4900 has 16 recall campaigns, which raises concerns about its reliability. The single owner complaint makes it difficult to gauge common failure points, suggesting limited data beyond the recalls.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake light switch | Unknown | $150–$300 | occasional |
| Seatbelt anchorage | Unknown | $100–$200 | rare |
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 changes
- Brake inspections and service
- Coolant system checks
- Transmission servicing
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Cabin air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Brake light failure
- Seatbelt anchorage issues
- Battery cable pinching
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Western Star 4900 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.