RoadVitals

2003 Western Star 5900

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 Dec 15, 2017
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 2003 Western Star 5900. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 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
17V810000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 15, 2017
24,860 units potentially affected
The defect: Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: DTNA will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, or contact Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-759.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-759View 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.

WSB-42-6

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM

WESTERN STAR: WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, SOME TRUCKS WILL EXPERIENCE SEVERE SHAKING OR SHIMMYING. MODELS CONSTELLATION, 4700, 4800, 4900, 6900 AND 5900. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 11/1/12. *PE

WSB-42-05

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

WESTERN STAR: AN ISSUE WITH THERMAL OVERLOAD ON BENDIX AIR DISC BRAKES WHERE ABS SENSOR WIRES MELTS, BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILS TO PROPERLY OPERATE DUE TO VENT HOLE IN BOTTOM NOT OPENING, CALIPERS COATED WITH RED OR BRIGHT ORANGE DUST AND TAPPED AND/OR GUIDE PIN BOOTS MELTED OR OTHERWISE SHOWS HEAT DAMAGE. MODELS CONSTELLATION, 4700, 4800, 4900, 5900 AND 6900. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SB-49-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

WESTERN STAR: AROUND THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CRYSTAL OR POWDER BUILT UP INDICATES A LEAK CAUSED BY EVAPORATION OF DEF EXPOSED TO AIR AND/OR DAMPNESS. *PE

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 5900 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018000—
2017010—
2016010—
2015010—
2014010—
2013010—
2012010—
2011010—
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—
2003Viewing010—
2002010—
2001010—
2000010—
1999010—
1998010—
1997000—
1996000—
1994000—

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.