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2012 Western Star 4900 problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Western Star 4900 is fuel and propulsion system. Its complaint count is close to a typical 4900 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
628
Worst area
Fuel system

The worst 2012 Western Star 4900 problems

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

  • Fuel system
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Fuel system
    1

Recalls 8

Steering: linkages: tie rod assemblyReported July 31, 2018 · 1,256 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V503000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported May 29, 2018 · 640 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V351000 · Recall details

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

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported November 27, 2017 · 438,255 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V761000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported September 5, 2013 · 650 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 13V401000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported February 28, 2012 · 103,437 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 12V074000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported December 27, 2011 · 66 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V605000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported May 16, 2011 · 94 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V283000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 2012 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 2012 Western Star 4900 628

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

See all 628 bulletins for the 2012 Western Star 4900

What 2012 Western Star 4900 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Fuel system · 280,471 miles · TX · fire

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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 280,471.

Compare the 2012 Western Star 4900

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Questions about the 2012 Western Star 4900

Is the 2012 Western Star 4900 reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Western Star 4900, close to a typical 4900 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Western Star 4900?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2012 Western Star 4900 have?

8 recalls, covering steering, service brakes, air and equipment.

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