RoadVitals

2004 Freightliner Western Star

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 14, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Freightliner Western Star. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
05V284000

SUSPENSION

Jun 14, 2005
634 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS AND THOMAS SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND/NEWAY AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, A TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTING MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION'S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.
The risk: THIS WILL CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN FOR THOMAS BUILT OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 10, 2006; AND FOR FREIGHTLINER OWNERS ON APRIL 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-453View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SF-393-AB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

FREIGHTLINER (WESTERN STAR 4900): BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCHES-SANJEL CORP. ONLY. THE WIRING FOR THE BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH IS NOT CONSISTENT AMONG VEHICLES. EXISTING BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCHES WILL BE REPLACED. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE

06M-6

DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION (DDC) HAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BRACKETS WILL NEED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE EXISTING LIFTER BRACKET IN ORDER TO REINFORCE THE LIFTER BRACKET/WATER PUMP HOUSING ASSEMBLY. MBE 4000 EPA 04 ENGINES EQUIPPED IN FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR APPLICATIONS ARE AFFECTED. *NJ

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Freightliner Western Star by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012020—
2011010—
2008000—
2007000—
2006000—
2005010—
2004Viewing010—
2003000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.