Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Western Star 4900, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure2
- Wheels1
- Tires1
- Trailer hitches1
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 2014 4900 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2014 Western Star 4900 failed the safety check 0.72% of the time — 69% less often than the average 2014 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 163,366 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
8 Transport Canada recalls for the 2014 Western Star 4900.
| 2021706 17 Nov 2021 | Tires Issue: Certain trucks were built with tires that are not approved for use with the truck's wheels. As a result, the tires may not perform properly, or a tire … |
| 2019237 17 May 2019 | Brakes Issue: Certain trucks were built with air reservoir tanks that are too small in relation to the size of the air brake chambers. Canadian regulations require e… |
| 2018283 29 May 2018 | Brakes Certain vehicles built with front disc brakes and a Lomax hood may not have enough clearance between the hood and the front brake hose. This could cause chafing… |
| 2017636 18 Dec 2017 | Accessories On certain vehicles equipped with Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive… |
| 2017583 28 Nov 2017 | Brakes On certain vehicles with air brakes, after several hard brake applications, the brake light pressure switch may not activate the brake lights with a light appli… |
| 2016483 4 Oct 2016 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles equipped with a Stratosphere sleeper cab, a seat belt mount failed during testing due to an incorrect diameter hole on the seat belt anchor … |
| 2015133 25 Mar 2015 | Accessories On certain vehicles, the handheld Kidde plastic valve disposable fire extinguisher may not function as designed. In certain instances, the extinguisher may fail… |
| 2013300 4 Sept 2013 | Seats And Restraints On certain trucks, a misaligned B-pillar reinforcement could affect seatbelt D-ring anchor performance. Failure of the seatbelt D-ring anchorage to restrain th… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Freightliner Cascadia, Coronado, Business Class M2, 114SD, and Western Star 4900 trucks. In certain front axle, brake lining, and brake spider combinations, braking may cause high vibrations, resulting in early failure of the tie-rod tube.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 trucks built with Lowmax hoods and disc brakes. There may be insufficient clearance between the front brake hose and the hood resulting in the brake hose being chafed.
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
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2008-2018 Freightliner Cascadia, Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks. After hard brake applications, the brake light pressure switch may not activate the brake lights with a light application of the brake pedal.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Western Star 4900 and 5700 trucks manufactured March 22, 2013, to September 23, 2016 and equipped with a Stratosphere sleeper cab. The seat belt mounting plate may have a drill hole that is too large.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks manufactured from July 23, 2013, through December 4, 2014, and equipped with certain Kidde disposable handheld fire extinguishers. These fire extinguishers may not fully discharge as designed when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Western Star 4900 trucks manufactured June 24, 2013, to April 30, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured without Anti-lock Brake Systems. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Coronado, Argosy, Cascadia, Columbia, and M2 Business Class, and Western Star 4700, and 4900 vehicles manufactured August 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Coronado, Argosy, Cascadia, M2 Business Class, and Western Star 4700, 4900, and 6900 vehicles manufactured August 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013; and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2008, through March 22, 2013. A potential misalignment of a clearance hole in the B-pillar reinforcement may affect the performance of the seatbelt D-ring anchorage point.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Western Star told its dealers about the 2014 Western Star 4900: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011115 | Detroit Emission recall for GHG14 DETROIT DD16 Software Reprogramming |
| 11011114 | Detroit Emission recall for GHG14 DETROIT DD16 Software Reprogramming |
| 11011104 | Detroit Emission recall for GHG14 DETROIT DD16 Software Reprogramming |
| 11007487 | Important Campaign Information letter for DDC D23M3 - Campaign Reactivated and Extended. Field Service Campaign D23M3 - GHG17 DETROITTM DD16 Vibration Damper Replacement has been extended for an additional 6 months. |
| 11000986 | Service Solution for Thread Spring Pin Suspension Alignment & Installation |
| 10214907 | Updated Western Star Service Bulletin for HVAC Actuator Replacement |
| 10213225 | Western Star Service Bulletin for HVAC Actuator Replacement. The wiring harness of the actuator of the fresh air recirculation door on Western Star vehicles equipped with Red Dot HVAC systems should be inspected for signs of water intrusion and corrosion. |
| 10210548 | Important Campaign Information Letter for DDC D21M1 Termination Date Extended. This letter is to inform you that a revised bulletin for Detroit Diesel Field Service Campaign D21M1, DT12 Transmission Drive Shaft Cover Plug Reseal has been EXTENDED for an additional three months. Please use the extended termination date for all work under D21M1 from this point forward. REVISION: D21M1 termination date extended to July 1, 2022. |
| 10208391 | Western Star Service Bulletin for DEF Connector Reinforcement Caps |
| 10205885 | HVAC Actuator Wiring Harness. Revision History: Service kit part number changed from RDH RD5 17147 0 to WWS RD-3-9069-0 on 12/9/21. The wiring harness of the actuator of the fresh air recirculation door, shown in Fig. 1, on Western Star vehicles equipped with Red Dot HVAC systems should be inspected for signs of water intrusion and corrosion. |
| 10202728 | SF626 Western Star Window Replacement Inspection Notification. This letter is to inform you that Field Service Campaign SF626 Western Star Window Replacement Inspection Notification campaign was released. |
| 10201680 | Customer Advisory Letter for HVAC Actuator Wiring Harness. The wiring harness of the actuator of the fresh air recirculation door, shown in Fig. 1, on Western Star vehicles equipped with Red Dot HVAC systems should be inspected for signs of water intrusion and corrosion. |
| 10198595 | Western Star Service Bulletin for Key Fob ID Retention. Key fobs for remote keyless entry on Western Star vehicles are delivered in packages that include a unique ID for the fob. The ID is required when pairing the key fob with a vehicle. |
| 10195575 | Service Solution SS 1033094 KUS Float Tube Fuel Level Sensor Inform... |
| 10193771 | Portland Truck Plant Paint Changes |
| 10191143 | Detroit Field Service Campaign for DT12 Transmission Drive Shaft Cover Plug Reseal. Daimler Trucks North America LLC, on behalf of its DETROIT Powertrain Division, is initiating Field Service Campaign D21M1 on certain DT12 transmissions in order to reseal the bypass plugs of the drive shaft cover located in front housing. |
| 10190555 | Detroit Technical Service Letter for DD13 Cylinder Head and Cylinder Head Gasket Change. |
| 10190551 | Warranty Information letter announcing that DTNA is increasing the Standard Diagnostic Times (SDTs) shown. The updated after treatment system (ATS) diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pump times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 12, 2021. |
| 10190549 | Warranty Information Letter announcing DTNA is adjusting the Standard Repair Times (SRTs) shown. The updated times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 5, 2021. |
| 10190020 | DTNA received a field notification on multiple units regarding diagnostic fault codes that were found to be causing issues to the After Treatment Control Module (ACM). These fault codes indicated that the ACM communication message was not received by the Motor Control Module (MCM) which in certain cases, led to a 25% engine de-rate situation. Further diagnosis revealed that the DT12 wiring harness was chafing and contacting the transmission TCU case. To reduce potential chafing areas, the proposed short-term containment was to route the wiring harness using additional tie straps. This communic |
| 10189335 | Updated Western Star Parts Technical Bulletin for Universal Design Floor Mats. This bulletin replaces the version dated February 12, 2021. Information about parts notes in the Paragon system have been added and the trimming instructions are revised. Universal floor mat designs fit multiple cab configurations and may require trimming. Trim lines displaying size options are scored into the pad side of the mat; use an existing floor mat as a guide for optimal results. The new mat should not interfere with safety-critical equipment, such as foot pedals. |
| 10189332 | Western Star Service Bulletin for Powernet Troubleshooting Guide - Batteries, Path, Alternator, and Starter. When troubleshooting powernet issues, use the BCT-460DTNA PowerNet Assessment Tool. As of May 29, 2018, the AutoMeter is the only Daimler-approved tool for troubleshooting vehicle Powernet issues. |
| 10187892 | DDC Field Service Campaign for GHG14 DETROIT DD13 with One-Box Aftertreatment Software Reprogramming. Certain Detroit Model Year 2013 to 2015 GHG14 DD13 engines that are registered in California will require reprogramming to a minimum of the MCM software version and fuel map version listed below: MCM Software Version 4.7.0.0 ZGS 005. |
| 10187602 | Western Star Parts Technical Bulletin for Universal Design Floor Mats. Universal floor mat designs fit multiple cab configurations and may require trimming. Trim lines displaying size options are scored into the pad side of the mat; use an existing floor mat as a guide for optimal results. The new mat should not interfere with safety-critical equipment, such as foot pedals. |
| 10184788 | Western Star Service Bulletin for Axle Flange Gasket Replaced with O-Ring. Daimler Trucks North America has released a new axle shaft to hub rubber O-ring (part number 11-30728-000) as a replacement for the paper gasket (part number 11-14418-000). The new O-ring will provide better sealing and is reusable. It is quicker and easier to use compared to the paper gasket, because using a paper gasket requires cleaning the hub when the axle shaft is removed. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Daimler Trucks North America Recalls
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation