The worst 2025 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 13
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
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 FCCC XCR, FCCC XBS, FCCC MT45, Western Star 57X, 2025-2026 Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner Cascadia, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner 108SD, FCCC MT55G, FCCC MT45G, FCCC XCP, FCCC XCM, Western Star 49X, Western Star 47X, 2026 Freightliner Cascadia 5th Gen, FCCC MT55, and FCCC MT50E vehicles. The brake caliper mounting bolts may loosen and detach, which can cause a loss of brake function and damage the tire and/or wheel.
- Risk
- A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged wheel or tire can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace or tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1023.
Recall number 25V601000 · Recall details
Steering: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Western Star 47X, Freightliner Business Class M2, FCCC MT55G, 2025-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Cascadia, Freightliner 114SD, FCCC MT45G, FCCC S2RV106, 2026 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2, Freightliner eCascadia, FCCC S2C106, and Freightliner 108SD vehicles. The tie rod castle nut and cotter pin may not be installed properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is D25R2.
Recall number 25V603000 · 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
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Freightliner 114SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, and Western Star 49X vehicles. The air tank capacity may be too small, resulting in reduced braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Reduced brake performance can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the air tank or install an additional air tank, 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 F1019.
Recall number 25V295000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2026 Freightliner eM2, Freightliner 108SD, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner Cascadia, 2025-2026 Freightliner Business Class M2, Western Star 47X, and Western Star 49X vehicles. A software error in the advanced signal and actuator module for the automatic emergency braking system may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate.
- Risk
- Brake lights that fail increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the automatic emergency braking system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1018.
Recall number 25V187000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Freightliner Cascadia, Western Star 49X, Freightliner Custom Chassis XCM and Freightliner Custom Chassis XCP vehicles equipped with certain Cummins fuel pumps. The fuel pump barrels may fracture and cause a fuel leak, which can result in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Cummins will replace the fuel pump barrels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA Customer Service at 1‑800‑745‑8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1010. Owners may also contact Cummins Customer Service at 812‑377‑5000.
Recall number 24V736000 · 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
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Freightliner Cascadia, 114SD, Western Star 47X, and 49X transit buses equipped with Composolite EXS20 steerable lift axle suspension assemblies. The tie rod assembly ball stud could have been improperly heat treated and can fail.
- Risk
- The ball stud can separate from the vehicle becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 26, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800‑745‑8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1005.
Recall number 24V509000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Freightliner Cascadia, 108SD, 114SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 47X, 49X, Freightliner Custom Chassis S2RV 106, and S2C 106 transit buses, cabs, and chassis. The front axle tie rod ball joint studs may crack and break, which can result in tie rod separation.
- Risk
- Tie rod separation can cause a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the tie rod assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800‑745‑8000. DTNA's number for this recall is D24R6.
Recall number 24V402000 · Recall details
Wheels: hub
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2025 Freightliner Custom Chassis MC, MT45, MT45G, MT55, S2C 106, S2RV 106, XBS, XCM, XCP, XCR, XCS, Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 47X, 49X, 57X, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 transit buses, cabs, and chassis. The wheel hub fasteners may loosen and cause the wheel to detach, 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 replace the hub nut retaining system, wheel end, and axle components, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800‑745‑8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1002.
Recall number 24V393000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Western Star 49X and 2025 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software has incorrect axle spacing parameters. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."
- Risk
- Incorrect parameters can decrease vehicle stability or braking performance, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ESC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL993.
Recall number 24V058000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2025 Western Star 49X 214
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Standard Warranty Extension for vehicles with TitanX Radiators
- Warranty Information letter for Detroit Line or Line Seal, High Pressure Fuel Injector Standard Repair...
- Warranty Policy Letter for Steering Wheel Centering Policy Amendment
- Customer Advisory Letter for Torque Converter Parameter Mismatch
- CX Advocate for Cummins Axiomatic fan Control Module Fails Due to Internal Short
- CX Advocate for J1939 Codes with Cummins Engine (TSB-54-102-WST)
- CX Advocate for Surge Tank Level Sensor Float Sinking
- Technical Service Bulletin for Door Sill Plate Bracket Repair
- Technical Service Bulletin for Wiper Supplier Change
- Technical Service Bulletin for J1939 Communication Errors with Cummins Engine Automated or Allison...
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Questions about the 2025 Western Star 49X
Is the 2025 Western Star 49X reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2025 Western Star 49X.
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Western Star 49X?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2025 Western Star 49X have?
13 recalls, covering electrical system, suspension and service brakes, air.
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