Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Western Star 4900, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other1
- Suspension1
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, 13 2020 4900 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. 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 2020 Western Star 4900 failed the safety check 0.48% of the time — 60% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 150,407 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2020 Western Star 4900.
| 2022715 12 Dec 2022 | 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 … |
| 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 … |
| 2020551 12 Nov 2020 | Structure Issue: On certain trucks, the welds that attach the trailer hitch may crack due to improper welding. As a result, the hitch could detach from the truck while … |
| 2020155 9 Apr 2020 | Label Issue: On certain trucks, the compliance label lists an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). This could lead to overloading and cause poor handling or a… |
| 2019552 4 Nov 2019 | Structure Issue: On certain trucks, the strut-rod for the sleeper cab vent windows may not be properly attached. This could cause the vent window to over rotate and det… |
| 2019508 10 Oct 2019 | Structure Issue: On certain trucks, the baggage and/or sleeper side doors may not be properly attached to their hinges. This could cause the door(s) to detach while dri… |
| 2019499 4 Oct 2019 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain trucks, the warning indicator for low air brake pressure shows “BRAKE AIR” instead of a low brake pressure symbol. Recent changes to Canadian… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Freightliner 114SD, 2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2020 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Western Star 4900, 2019-2023 Freightliner Business Class M2, and 2021 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with tires that are not compatible with their 8.25-inch rims. 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 2012-2021 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 2020-2021 Western Star 4700 and 4900 and Freightliner Coronado, 108SD and 114SD vehicles. The vehicle certification label contains incorrect information, stating a Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) that exceeds the tire capacity rating. 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 Truckers North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD and Western Star 4700, and 4900 vehicles equipped with certain SL2065 steerable lift axles. The lower rear pivot cap screws may not be long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020 Freightliner 108SD and 2020-2021 Freightliner Coronado, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 and 4900 vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other Than Passenger Cars."
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Western Star 4900 and 5700 vehicles equipped with sleeper cab vent windows. Due to improper adhesive, the vent window may detach from the vehicle.
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Western Star 4900 and 5700 vehicles. The adhesive bond may fail allowing the baggage or sleeper side door to separate from the hinges.
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 2020 Western Star 4900: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011082 | CX Advocate for CARB tightening the Readiness Criteria applied to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test submissions for the Clean Truck Check. |
| 11011076 | Warranty Information letter for Detroit Line or Line Seal, High Pressure Fuel Injector Standard Repair Time Updates |
| 11010186 | CX Advocate for CARB tightening the Readiness Criteria applied to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test submissions for the Clean Truck Check. |
| 11010143 | Service Solution for Detroit Successful Regen Reference for GHG17 DD Engines |
| 11008508 | Service Solution for Detroit Successful Regen Reference for GHG17 DD Engines |
| 11007517 | CX Advocate for ConMet Oil Pan Insert Additional Failures |
| 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. |
| 11005500 | CX Advocate for NOx conversion low faults. Update to CXA 6_24_NOx submission. |
| 11005494 | CX Advocate for ConMet Oil Pan Insert Additional Failures |
| 11003924 | CX Advocate communication for clutch bolts |
| 11003889 | CX Advocate communication for NOx conversion low faults |
| 11001976 | Customer letter regarding variable speed water pump. |
| 11000986 | Service Solution for Thread Spring Pin Suspension Alignment & Installation |
| 11000984 | Service Solution for DEF Pump Wiring for Cummins CM2450 Engine Controller |
| 11000978 | Technical Service Bulletin for New Final Drive Over Heat Diagnostic |
| 10253879 | Service Solution for DEF Pump Wiring for Cummins CM2450 Engine Controller |
| 10251202 | Important Campaign Information letter for FL974 - Revised Bulletin & Population |
| 10251200 | Revised Emissions Recall: Cummins DEF Sensor Shortage. REVISION: Some vehicles formerly in Group F have been moved to Group G and have been assigned a new part number as specified in Table 1. An SRT for 'Calibration Code Only: Update or Confirm' has been added, as shown in Table 2, to be used when a new DEF header is not required. There have been some other minor changes to the work instructions and SRT times. |
| 10249516 | Emissions Recall: Cummins DEF Sensor Shortage |
| 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 |
| 10207507 | Revised Western Star Service Bulletin for Drive Line Vibration. Minor note: added an update of document previously submitted. The related VMRS codes are added |
| 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. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)