The worst 2020 Western Star 49X problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 10
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Western Star 49X and 2021-2027 Western Star 47X vehicles. A stud connecting the battery to the starter at the frame rail may have been incorrectly installed or may corrode, which can cause a short circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the studs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1029. This recall replaces and expands the federal safety agency recall number 25V326. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 26V079000 · Recall details
Suspension: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner 108SD, 2021-2026 Western Star 47X, 2021-2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2022 Western Star 48X, and 2023 Western Star 4700 vehicles. The axle clamp fasteners may be loose, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1027.
Recall number 25V760000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X and 2021-2026 Western Star 47X vehicles. A stud connecting the battery to the starter at the frame rail may have been incorrectly installed, which can cause a short circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- DTNA will inspect and replace damaged cables and loose hardware. In addition, DTNA will properly tighten hardware and install dielectric tape. All repairs will be performed, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1020. This recall is replaced by the federal safety agency recall number 26V079. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 25V326000 · Recall details
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Freightliner 108SD, 2022-2025 Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner Business Class M2, 2025 Freightliner eM2, 2020-2025 Western Star 49X, 2021-2025 Western Star 47X, and 2022-2025 Western Star 57X vehicles that may be upfitted with a body lighting interface controller and replacement brake lights. The brake lights may not illuminate when the brakes are automatically applied during an active brake assist (ABA) event.
- Risk
- Brake lights that fail to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ABA software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800‑745‑8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1009.
Recall number 24V668000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 49X vehicles. The hazard warning lights may flash improperly during an Advanced Braking Assist event. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Hazard warning lights that flash improperly may cause confusion for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the software controlling the hazard warning lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL851.
Recall number 23V208000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia, 2020-2023 Western Star 49X, 2021-2023 Western Star 47X, and 2022 Freightliner 114SD vehicles. The brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during braking initiated by Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Roll Stability Control (RSC).
- Risk
- Brakes that pull to one side may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake modulator valves, as necessary. Some vehicles will have a software update which will alert driver when a replacement is required. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 13, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL966.
Recall number 23V073000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: antilock: modulator
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Freightliner Cascadia, 2020-2022 Freightliner Business Class M2, and 2022 Freightliner 114SD, and 2020-2023 Western Star 49X, 2021-2023 Western Star 47X, and 2021-2022 Western Star 57X vehicles. The brake modulator valves on the front axle may corrode and cause the vehicle to pull to the affected side during an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) braking event.
- Risk
- Brakes that pull to one side during an ACC braking event may cause a sudden change in vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake modulator valves, as necessary. Some vehicles will have a software update which will alert driver when a replacement is required. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 16, 2023. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-958. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 20V‑390. All vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V‑390 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Recall number 22V817000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hood
- What is wrong
- Daimler Truck North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2023 47X and 49X vehicles. The hood bezel covers may detach.
- Risk
- Detached hood bezel covers may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and install rivets on the hood bezel covers, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-951.
Recall number 22V654000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Western Star 49X and 2021 Western Star 47X vehicles. The windshield wiper linkages may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
- Risk
- Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper arm and linkage parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-926.
Recall number 22V230000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Western Star 47X, 2020-2023 Western Star 49X, and 2021-2022 Western Star 57X vehicles equipped with side air intakes on the hood. The stainless steel cover on the side air intake may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached side air intake cover may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the stainless steel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-925.
Recall number 22V227000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Western Star 49X 65
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- CX Advocate for X-Series HD Front Suspension Threaded
- Revised Technical Service Bulletin for DT12 OVX Transmission Refresh
- Fleet Communications for Heater Core Plugging
- Revised Service Solution for Western Star vehicles with excessive water intrusion into the air system
- CX Advocate for Questions/Issues Raised
- CX Advocate for ConMet Oil Pan Insert Additional Issues
- My Communications for UFI 0-Ring Announcement
- Service Solution for ECP Solenoid Valve Interim Replacement Parts
- Service Solution for DT12 Oil Plug Ports
- Features and Benefits for Detroit Connect Base Service Renewal
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Questions about the 2020 Western Star 49X
Is the 2020 Western Star 49X reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2020 Western Star 49X.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Western Star 49X?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2020 Western Star 49X have?
10 recalls, covering electrical system, suspension and forward collision avoidance.
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