VehicleVerdict

2012 Western Star 4900 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2012 Western Star 4900 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other 4900 years?

See all 4900 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Western Star 4900 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1100%

Does the 2012 Western Star 4900 have recalls?

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

18V503000SteeringJuly 31, 2018 · 1,256 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A tie-rod failure would cause a disconnect between the front wheels, resulting in a loss of steering ability, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake linings, brake spider, and tie-rod, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL782.

18V351000BrakesMay 29, 2018 · 640 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Front brake hose chafing may causing air loss, possibly reducing braking effectiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle brake hose, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on July 27, 2018. The recall began November 27, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-773.

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.

13V401000Seat BeltsSeptember 5, 2013 · 650 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will reinforce the D-ring anchor points, free of charge. The recall began during january November 2014. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's recall number is FL-645.

12V074000EngineFebruary 28, 2012 · 103,437 units

Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM USED ON THESE ENGINES IS SENSITIVE TO ASSEMBLY TORQUE AND MAY BE DAMAGED DURING SERVICE WORK. AS A RESULT OF OTHER REPAIRS, THE LINE SUPPORTS MAY LOOSEN, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FUEL LINE CRACKING AND A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WHERE NECESSARY, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED BY DTNA AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITIES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

11V605000EngineDecember 27, 2011 · 66 units

Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND WESTERN STAR 4900 EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A DD13 EPA10 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINE. THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN SOFTWARE NORMALLY PROVIDED TO PROTECT THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DISABLED ON ENGINES INTENDED FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE APPLICATIONS.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR RECEIVES AND IGNORES MULTIPLE WARNINGS INDICATING THE NEED FOR OPERATOR INTERVENTION, THE ENGINE MAY SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY. UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTDOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD HAMPER RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PLACE THE PUBLIC AT RISK.

Remedy

DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

11V283000BrakesMay 16, 2011 · 94 units

Defect

DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2010, THROUGH MAY 13, 2011, WITH STANDARD CAB HEIGHT AND A DD13 ENGINE. THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY AIRLINES FOR THE FOOT VALVE MAY CONTACT THE AIR INTAKE ON THE ENGINE. RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE CAB AND THE ENGINE MAY ALLOW THE DELIVERY AIRLINES TO CHAFE ON THE AIR INTAKE.

Consequence

A HOLE IN THE DELIVERY AIR LINE MAY DEVELOP, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO REDUCED BRAKING CAPACITY TO THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AIR LINES AND REROUTE IF NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLEARANCE TO THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL LINE CRACKED AND BEGAN LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 4, 2015 · fire

2012 Western Star 4900 — common questions

Is the 2012 Western Star 4900 reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Western Star 4900 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Western Star 4900. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Western Star 4900 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.