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2005 Western Star 4900 problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Western Star 4900 is transmission and drivetrain. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical 4900 model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
163
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 2005 Western Star 4900 problems

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

  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 7

EquipmentReported December 15, 2017 · 24,860 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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:
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V810000 · Recall details

Fuel system, dieselReported September 16, 2011 · 73,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 heavy trucks manufactured from july 11, 2003, through september 28, 2007, equipped with epa04 model mbe4000 engines built with plastic low pressure fuel lines and fuel filters mounted near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. The plastic low pressure fuel line between engine mounted fuel filter and engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak.
Risk
This could create a road hazard increasing the risk of a crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Daimler trucks will notify owners and the remedy will be performed by detroit diesel corporation authorized repair facilities. Vehicles will be inspected and the plastic low pressure fuel line will be replaced with a steel low pressure fuel line. This service will be performed free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on october 28, 2011. The safety recall began on february 21, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 11V478000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported September 23, 2009 · 25,362 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler trucks is recalling model year 2004-2010 trucks equipped with caterpillar c15 engine. The variable valve actuation oil line may rub against the p-clips retaining the oil line, causing an oil leak.
Risk
An oil leak may result in a fire.
Remedy
Daimler trucks is working with caterpillar to remedy these vehicles. Please see caterpillar's defect report 09e-020. Caterpillar will inspect and repair the necessary components free of charge. The recall began on may 5, 2009. Owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1‑800‑447‑4986 or daimler trucks at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 09V366000 · Recall details

Fuel system, dieselReported March 11, 2008 · 62,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler trucks is recalling 62,000 my 2005-2007 freightliner business class, century class, columbia, coronado, fld, classic, sterling a-line, l-line, and western star 4900 trucks. A fractured fuel line could leak diesel fuel.
Risk
If a leak continues undetected under certain conditions, fuel may ignite at a hot engine surface and/or fuel may be spilled on the road surface.
Remedy
High pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes will be inspected and replaced free of charged. The recall began on july 9, 2008. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 08V113000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: slack adjustersReported December 18, 2007 · 31 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks built with sisu fr2p-21, sisu fr2p-26, sisu fr3p-33, or sisu fr3p-48 rear axles, a counter-bore machined in both ends of the worm wheel opening of the slack adjuster housing reduces material thickness between the worm wheel opening and the worm shaft opening. Under normal service a crack may develop in this area rendering the slack adjuster inoperable and reducing brake effectiveness.
Risk
Reduced vehicle braking could lead to a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the slack adjusters, and replace the adjuster if found defective. The recall began on july 31, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 07V571000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported February 8, 2006 · 5,771 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.
Risk
The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
Remedy
Caterpillar, in conjunction with freightliner, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309‑675‑6496, or freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 06V030000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 5, 2005 · 600 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks fitted with optional in-cab batteries, the dual suction/return lines may contact the cab power harness resulting in chafing through.
Risk
This could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will reroute and secure the fuel lines. The recall began on january 26, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 05V453000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2005 Western Star 4900

Defect investigations

Daimler Trucks North America RecallsOpened April 23, 2018, closed July 11, 2024

On April 23, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“the federal safety agency”) opened Audit Query (AQ18002) to assess the timeliness and scope of four recalls filed by Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (“DTNA”). the federal safety agency subsequently expanded AQ18002 to examine the timeliness and scope of three additional DTNA recalls and compliance with early warning reporting and manufacturer communications reporting requirements. the federal safety agency and DTNA entered into a Consent Order on December 29, 2020, to resolve the federal safety agency’s assertions that certain recalls within the scope of AQ18002 were untimely, DTNA failed to timely submit certain manufacturer communications to the federal safety agency, and DTNA failed to submit field reports to the federal safety agency as required. As part of the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to a total civil penalty of thirty million dollars ($30,000,000), of which ten million dollars ($10,000,000) was paid on January 12, 2021. Also, of that total civil penalty, DTNA agreed to spend five million dollars ($5,000,000) on the specific performance obligations to develop advanced data analytics capabilities to enhance its ability to detect and study emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles (“Safety Data Analytics infrastructure”) and an advanced data analytics and reporting platform that integrates data on emerging safety-related defect trends on its vehicles and recall lessons learned (“Safety Communications Platform”). The Consent Order also held fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) of the civil penalty in abeyance pending DTNA’s satisfactory completion of the requirements of the Consent Order, and its compliance with the Safety Act, and regulations thereunder. the federal safety agency and DTNA agreed to a two-year term for the Consent Order—with an option for the federal safety agency to extend the Consent Order for an additional year, if warranted. In the Consent Order, DTNA agreed to numerous performance obligations, including monthly meetings with the federal safety agency to discuss potential safety issues, recent manufacturer communications, and recall decision-making, among other things; quarterly meetings with the federal safety agency to discuss DTNA’s progress on the performance obligations under the Consent Order, including the Safety Data Analytics infrastructure and Safety Communications Platform, and any issues related to compliance with the Consent Order, Safety Act, or regulations; development of written procedures and employee training materials to help DTNA comply with its legal obligations to timely identify and report safety defects and noncompliances, submit complete and accurate recall filings, and timely submit manufacturer communications and field reports to the federal safety agency; and identifying and reporting previously unreported manufacturer communications and field reports. Also, via the Consent Order, DTNA acknowledged that the failure or inability to identify a specific root cause, develop an adequate remedy or repair, or confirm the affected population of vehicles are not bases for delaying filing a recall with the federal safety agency. On December 22, 2022, the federal safety agency extended the Consent Order for a term of one year due to concerns about DTNA’s compliance with its recall-related obligations. Specifically, the federal safety agency expressed concerns about the completeness of DTNA’s recall reports and issues identified with owner notification letters during the term of the Consent Order, as well as the length of time that DTNA took to consider a straightforward noncompliance issue before filing a recall and DTNA’s interactions with the federal safety agency during the term of the Consent Order. the federal safety agency addressed these concerns with DTNA during the third year of the Consent Order. The extended term of the Consent Order expired on December 28, 2023. Based on the Consent Order, this investigation, AQ18002, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order or DTNA’s ongoing legal obligations, and it does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency as to DTNA’s performance under the Consent Order.

AQ18002

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Western Star 4900 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 2005 Western Star 4900

What 2005 Western Star 4900 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 26, 2006 · Transmission · 208,175 miles · UT

Passenger side steer axle hub failed. It cracked in a circular pattern between the spindle wheel studs and the bearing flange 360 degrees.

Filed Feb 25, 2006 · Visibility · 36,737 miles · GA

Air conditioning condenser and A/C hose harnes with bracket are failing. In warm rainy weather there is a hazard as defogging of windshield is minimal. First of 4 incidents occurred september 25,2005.

Compare the 2005 Western Star 4900

Other model years

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Questions about the 2005 Western Star 4900

Is the 2005 Western Star 4900 reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2005 Western Star 4900, 2.0 times a typical 4900 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Western Star 4900?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 1 complaint. Next is visibility (1).

How many recalls does the 2005 Western Star 4900 have?

7 recalls, covering equipment, fuel system, diesel and engine and engine cooling.

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