The worst 1996 Western Star Constellation 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 2
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: conventional trucks and truck/tractors equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot. Insufficient clearance between the top of the steering shaft and the top of the opening in the adapter plate can cause the steering shaft to contact the top of the firewall adapter opening wearing a groove in the steering shaft. If the groove is allowed to wear deep enough, the shaft can fail.
- Risk
- If the steering shaft fails, steering control will be lost increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the firewall adapter plate on the affected vehicles.
Recall number 97V075000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum
- What is wrong
- The brake return spring can contact the hub. Further wear of the brake lining material will lead to wear of the return spring and the spring can fail prematurely.
- Risk
- Pieces of the failed spring could then lodge in the brake cam causing either the affected brake to stay applied when the other brakes have been released, or stopping the affected brake from applying when the other brakes are applied. The vehicle could then be pulled in a lateral direction off the road or into oncoming traffic increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will modify the front brakes on these trucks.
Recall number 96V148000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Western Star Constellation
Defect investigations
Steering columns
These vehicles were equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot with an insufficient clearance between the steering shaft and the top opening in the adapter plate.
RQ98004
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Western Star Constellation 14
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Western star: around the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) an excessive amount of crystal or powder built up...
- Western star: lubricate wheel bearings, rear drive axles
- Western star: EPA07 exhaust bellows replacement
- Western star trucks: the rear suspension air-spring assembly has been redesigned
- Western star trucks: instructions to remove, inspect, and reseal the lower pinion cover on the rear axles
- Western star trucks: information on wheel bearing lubrication in the rear axle
- Western star trucks: the procedure to replace the power steering pump with a different version pump
- Western star trucks: there are new cgi bellows due to current ones that are prone to failure
- Western star: trw TAS85 steering gear internal leakage test
- Western star truck: 5 piece back of cab service crossmember
See all 14 bulletins for the 1996 Western Star Constellation
Compare the 1996 Western Star Constellation
Other model years
Questions about the 1996 Western Star Constellation
Is the 1996 Western Star Constellation reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1996 Western Star Constellation.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Western Star Constellation?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1996 Western Star Constellation have?
2 recalls, covering steering and service brakes, hydraulic.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Western Star Constellation?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history