VehicleVerdict

2017 Western Star 4700 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2017 Western Star 4700 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other 4700 years?

See all 4700 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Western Star 4700 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1100%

Does the 2017 Western Star 4700 have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V896000Tires & WheelsNovember 17, 2021 · 307 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Unapproved tires that are not rated for the vehicle can cause tire performance issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealer will inspect and replace, as necessary, tires and rims, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 22, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall FL-908.

21V882000Electrical SystemNovember 12, 2021 · 6,100 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks. The affected trucks have a power stud that passes through the bulkhead. In certain circumstances, the power stud may contact the bulkhead and result in an electrical arc.

Consequence

An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the pass-through power studs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. This recall supersedes previous recall number 18V-191. Vehicles previously inspected and considered complete under 18V-191 will need to return for the new remedy. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-907.

18V913000SuspensionDecember 19, 2018 · 501 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Freightliner 114SD, 122SD, 108SD, Cascadia and Business class M2 trucks, Freightliner Custom Chassis XBS, XCL, XCM, MT45, MT55, S2G, S2RV, XCR and XCS custom chassis and Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 trucks equipped with Detroit Axle axles. The affected vehicles may have loose steering and tie rod arm bolts.

Consequence

Loose tie rod arm bolts may lead to separation of the tie rod arm, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering arm and tie rod arm bolts for to make sure that they are properly tightened, installing new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2019. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-802.

18V353000BrakesMay 29, 2018 · 8,741 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108SD, 114SD and Cascadia trucks, Western Star 4700, 4900, and 5700 trucks, FCCC S2C 106 Cab, S2G Cab, XBR, XBS, XCL, XCM, XCP, XCR, and XCS chassis equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts on these vehicles may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the bolts to loosen.

Consequence

If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on July 25, 2018. The recall began September 4, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-772.

18V191000Electrical SystemMarch 26, 2018 · 7,128 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks. The affected trucks have a power stud that passes through the bulkhead. In certain circumstances the power stud may contact the bulkhead and result in an electrical arc.

Consequence

An electrical arc can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the power stud for the proper clearance to the bulkhead, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. DTNA issued an interim notification to owners on May 23, 2018. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-766.

17V810000OtherDecember 15, 2017 · 24,860 units

Defect

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

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.

17V761000LightingNovember 27, 2017 · 438,255 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the brake lights fail to illuminate, there would not be a signal to other motorists that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. Daimler issued interim notifications to owners on January 22, 2018. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-756.

17V588000Electrical SystemSeptember 21, 2017 · 32 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Western Star 4700 trucks. The battery cable may contact the all wheel drive axle yoke.

Consequence

Battery cable contact with the axle yoke may cause the cable to chafe and short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery cables, repairing them as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-746.

16V634000TransmissionAugust 31, 2016 · 156 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Freightliner M2 Business Class, 108 SD, 114 SD, Cascadia, Coronado, Western Star 4700, 4800, and 5700 XE trucks manufactured March 15, 2013, to July 29, 2016 and equipped with Conmet aluminum non-high capacity hubs. These vehicles specify a front axle weight limit that may be greater than that of the hub capacity. As a result, the hub may fail and the wheel may separate from the axle.

Consequence

If a wheel separates from the axle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle hubs, free of charge. The recall began during November 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-718.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THERE IS BINDING ON STEERING WHEEL DURING THE STATIC STEERING OF THE TRUCK ON THE PAVEMENT AT STATIONARY POSITION. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN TUCK IS LOADED, OR HAS A FRONT ATTACHMENT, SUCH AS OUR SNOW-PLOWS. THE SITUATION CAUSES CONCERN TO OPERATORS WHEN THEY ARE PARKING AND OR MOVING IN WITHIN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 5, 2017

2017 Western Star 4700 — common questions

Is the 2017 Western Star 4700 reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2017 Western Star 4700 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Western Star 4700. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Western Star 4700 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.