The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS AND TRUCK/TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH A FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT BOOT. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TOP OF THE OPENING IN THE ADAPTER PLATE CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO CONTACT THE TOP OF THE FIREWALL ADAPTER OPENING WEARING A GROOVE IN THE STEERING SHAFT. IF THE GROOVE IS ALLOWED TO WEAR DEEP ENOUGH, THE SHAFT CAN FAIL.
The risk
IF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILS, STEERING CONTROL WILL BE LOST INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Western Star Constellation | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Star Constellation | 1995 | 0 | 2 |
| Western Star Constellation | 1996 | 0 | 2 |
| Western Star Constellation | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
Other steering recalls in 1997
14 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the steering; WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC. filed 38 campaigns in all.
| 97V191000 1 Nov 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V181000 20 Oct 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V177000 20 Oct 1997 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 97V169000 7 Oct 1997 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 97V165000 30 Sept 1997 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 97V154000 12 Sept 1997 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 97V138000 29 Aug 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 97V142000 29 Aug 1997 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997