VehicleVerdict

2020 Western Star 5700 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Western Star 5700 carries two red flags at once: 1 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Automatic Emergency Braking Errors). It is one of the 5700 years to avoid.

1

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other 5700 years?

5700 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted3 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 3 complaints
5700 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 5700 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Western Star 5700 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1100%

Does the 2020 Western Star 5700 have recalls?

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

22V338000OtherMay 16, 2022 · 185 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020 Freightliner Cascadia, 2020-2022 Western Star 4700 and 5700, 2022 Western Star 4900, and 2020-2023 Freightliner New Cascadia vehicles. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Federal Certification Label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will be replace the GAWR labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-933.

21V206000Electrical SystemMarch 24, 2021 · 5,111 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Western Star 4700 and Western Star 5700 vehicles. The ground harness wiring may be undersized and may cause a connector to melt.

Consequence

Damage to the ground harness may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ground harness, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 22, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-880.

20V281000Electrical SystemMay 18, 2020 · 2,987 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Western Star 4700 and 5700 vehicles. A particular wire in the ground harness may be undersized, possibly resulting in a melted connector in the ground circuit harness. If the connector becomes damaged, under certain circumstances, the engine may stall without the ability to restart.

Consequence

An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ground harness, free of charge. This recall began June 23, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-852.

20V127000BrakesMarch 3, 2020 · 2,585 units

Defect

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Cascadia, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700 and 5700, Freightliner Custom Chassis S2, Custom Chassis XB, and Custom Chassis XC vehicles equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.

Consequence

Loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-845.

19V792000Visibility & WipersNovember 4, 2019 · 2,725 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the vent window detaches while the vehicle is in motion, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent windows, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 27, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-836.

19V722000Body & StructureOctober 10, 2019 · 2,547 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A baggage or sleeper side door that separates from the vehicle while in motion can cause road debris, increasing the risk of an injury or crash.

Remedy

DTNA will notify owners and dealers will install reinforcement clips with mechanical fasteners on each baggage and sleeper door hinge, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on December 6, 2019. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL834.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA25006

Automatic Emergency Braking Errors

On May 26, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE23010) to assess reports of false positive activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in model year (MY) 2017-2022 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) vehicles. The reports alleged that activation of the AEB system occurred while driving with no apparent obstruction in the vehicle's forward path, resulting in sudden vehicle deceleration. DTNA indicated that it received of a total of 315 reports that may relate to the alleged defect in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. DTNA stated that the vast majority of false positive activation of the subject systems occur in very limited durations and result in a five mile per hour deceleration. ODI considered four AEB systems offered by DTNA: Detroit Assurance 2.0, Detroit Assurance 4.0, Detroit Assurance 5.0, and Wabco OnGuard.  ODI’s analysis shows that of the Detroit Assurance versions, all are failing at similar rates. The OnGuard AEB systems equipped on the same model and model year vehicles have experienced a significantly lower claim rate. To date, ODI has received a total of 32 consumer complaints of inadvertent activation of AEB in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. In total, ODI reviewed 347 unique (i.e., non-duplicative Vehicle Identification Numbers) reports that may relate to the alleged defect, which include 24 reports involving a crash, 13 reports involving an alleged injury and one report with a fatality. PE23010 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety related consequences of the inadvertent AEB activations in MY 2017-2022 DTNA vehicles. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2020 Western Star 5700. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the anti-collision system erroneously activated causing the commercial truck to abruptly stop while driving on the freeway. During the failure, there were no other vehicles or objects nearby to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 1, 2019

2020 Western Star 5700 — common questions

Is the 2020 Western Star 5700 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1 complaints put the 2020 model at #3 of 21 5700 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the 5700 years to avoid.

Does the 2020 Western Star 5700 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Western Star 5700. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Western Star 5700 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Automatic Emergency Braking Errors). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Western Star 5700 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 5700 years to avoid are 2022, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2017, 2021. The cleanest record among 5700 years belongs to 2016.

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.