RoadVitals

1997 Western Star Constellation Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that 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
Recall campaignsA 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.
2
Newest Sep 14, 1997
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open 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.
0
1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

2 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

97V151000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:LOW PRESSURE WARNING:SWITCH

Sep 14, 1997
40 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY 6X4 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EITHER HENDRICKSON RT/RS SERIES SUSPENSIONS OR CHALMERS 800 SERIES SUSPENSIONS, WITH A WHEEL BASE GREATER THAN 250 INCHES, AND WESTERN STAR'S AIR '96' AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WITHOUT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE AIR BRAKE RELEASE TIME REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
The risk: AIR BRAKE RELEASE TIME MAY BE LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED BY THE OPERATOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN EACH OF THE DROP LINES TO THE REAR MOST BRAKE CHAMBERS.
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
97V075000

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Apr 25, 1997
14 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILS, STEERING CONTROL WILL BE LOST INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

RQ98004ClosedRecall Query

STEERING COLUMNS

Opened Mar 18, 1998
Closed Oct 7, 1998

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.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)Led to recall 97V075000

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources