RoadVitals

2021 Western Star 49X

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 21V864000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
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.
13
Latest Feb 11, 2026
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 2021 Western Star 49X. 13 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 219 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

13 campaigns cover this model year

View all 13

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
26V079000

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

Feb 11, 2026
26,960 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The 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 NHTSA recall number 25V326. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number F1029View on NHTSA.gov
25V760000

SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Nov 4, 2025
18,783 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number F1027View on NHTSA.gov
25V326000

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

Jun 23, 2025
22,271 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The 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 NHTSA recall number 26V079. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Daimler Trucks North America, LLCManufacturer number F1020View 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.

TSB-54-375-FTL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Revised Technical Service Bulletin for Removing Odometer Pause Wiring Modifications

PB-47-900-WST

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Parts Bulletin for Fluorosilicone Fuel Tank Cap Seals

TSB-26-007-WST

POWER TRAIN

Revised Technical Service Bulletin for DT12 OVX Transmission Refresh

CXA 05_26_Equalizer Beam

SUSPENSION

CX Advocate for Twin Steer Equalizer Beam Bushing Wear

PB-31-026-WST

Parts Bulletin for Bumper and Rock Guard Part Numbers

TSB-26-006-WST

POWER TRAIN

Technical Service Bulletin for DT12 Excessive Wear

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

Western Star 49X by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026060—
20250130—
2024060—
20230140—
20221160—
2021Viewing0130—
20200100—
2019000—
2018000—
2017000—

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.