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2020 Western Star 4700 problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Western Star 4700 is brakes. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical 4700 model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
12
Service bulletins
1631 warranty
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2020 Western Star 4700 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1

Recalls 12

TiresReported December 12, 2022 · 49 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
Driving with tires that are not compatible with their rims can reduce tire performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-962.

Recall number 22V919000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported May 16, 2022 · 185 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 22V338000 · Recall details

Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel railReported December 13, 2021 · 2,843 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Western Star 4700, 2019-2022 Freightliner 114SD, 2021-2022 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Cascadia P4, 2022 Western Star 47X, 2021 Western Star WF110, 2020 Western Star WJ121, and 2019-2021 FCCC XCP Chassis vehicles. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.
Risk
A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel tubes, and install vibration isolators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-915.

Recall number 21V965000 · Recall details

TiresReported November 17, 2021 · 307 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V896000 · Recall details

Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel railReported May 7, 2021 · 9,662 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Freightliner Custom Chass XC Chassis, 108SD, Custom Chass XB Chassis, Business Class M2, 114SD, and Western Star 4700 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel lines, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-886.

Recall number 21V326000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported March 24, 2021 · 5,111 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V206000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported October 14, 2020 · 53 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
Incorrect weight rating information on the certification labels could result in potential overloading of the axles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will install accurate GAWR labels, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-864.

Recall number 20V634000 · Recall details

Suspension: multiple axleReported September 3, 2020 · 103 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the screws are not long enough to engage the corresponding nuts, the hardware may separate from the suspension system, becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower rear pivot cap screws for the proper length, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-862.

Recall number 20V539000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported May 18, 2020 · 2,987 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 20V281000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported April 10, 2020 · 89 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the GAWR labels, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL847.

Recall number 20V211000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: disc: caliperReported March 3, 2020 · 2,585 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 20V127000 · Recall details

SteeringReported October 25, 2019 · 1,331 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020 Western Star 4700 vehicles. The steering shaft may have been improperly installed, potentially causing a loss of connection between the steering wheel and front axle wheels.
Risk
This loss of connection would result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vehicles, correcting the steering shaft installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2019. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-835.

Recall number 19V769000 · Recall details

See all 12 recalls for the 2020 Western Star 4700

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Western Star 4700 163

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 163 bulletins for the 2020 Western Star 4700

What 2020 Western Star 4700 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MS

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Automated emergency breaking ABS Forward collision warning, potentially others. Unsure if the vehicle is available for inspection due to insurance claim. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Collision mitigation system error. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Police and Insurance representative. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, vehicle was sent to a certified manufacturer maintenance partner for active MIL/check engine lamp. Documentation of services performed describes a situation related to a fault code specifically regarding the collision mitigation system that the technicians were unable to diagnose with the tools available. Vehicle was released without any further modifications. The receipt with written detail is attached to this form.

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Western Star utilizes relay in master power distribution, they call PNDB. When this device is faulty it interrupts the power to engine causing truck engine to shut down. This shut down has happened with the truck fully loaded (71,000 LBS) traveling at 60 mph a couple of times. With no engine power you lose power steering. This is a very dangerous condition that I have discovered is more common than it should be. Talk to any Western Star service department. The Service Department knew exactly what the problem was and related to me this is common.

Compare the 2020 Western Star 4700

Other model years

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Questions about the 2020 Western Star 4700

Is the 2020 Western Star 4700 reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2020 Western Star 4700, 2.0 times a typical 4700 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Western Star 4700?

Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is driver assistance (1).

How many recalls does the 2020 Western Star 4700 have?

12 recalls, covering tires, equipment and fuel system, diesel.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Western Star 4700 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 20V127000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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