RoadVitals

1999 Western Star Constellation

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
1
Latest Mar 8, 2002
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 Feb 21, 2001
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
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1999 Western Star Constellation, most frequently naming the steering category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 11 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

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
01V044002

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Feb 21, 2001
16,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-284View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2002

POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED TO LOCK UP WHEN TURNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, REPLACED BOTH. DUE TO BAD PUMP, THE ONLY FIX I TO BUY AN OUTSIDE VENDER PUMP AND RESIVOIR TO PUT ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
9005326
Incident
Aug 1, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

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

35-7

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING; SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING; SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

WESTERN STAR: LUBRICATE WHEEL BEARINGS, REAR DRIVE AXLES. *JS

SB-49-7

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

WESTERN STAR: EPA07 EXHAUST BELLOWS REPLACEMENT. IF A FAILED EXHAUST BELLOWS ON AN EPA07 ENGINE INSTALLATION, REPLACE IT WITH A NEW STYLE BELLOWS, AND TWO NEW MATCHING CLAMPS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 6/14/2011. *KB UPDATED 4/20/12. *PE

SB-35-06

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

WESTERN STAR TRUCKS: INSTRUCTIONS TO REMOVE, INSPECT, AND RESEAL THE LOWER PINION COVER ON THE REAR AXLES. *RM

SB-32-13

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

WESTERN STAR TRUCKS: THE REAR SUSPENSION AIR-SPRING ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REDESIGNED. *RM

SB-35-07

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

WESTERN STAR TRUCKS: INFORMATION ON WHEEL BEARING LUBRICATION IN THE REAR AXLE. *RM

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 Constellation by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000—
2016000—
2015000—
2013000—
2012010—
2011110—
2010010—
2009010—
2001100—
1999Viewing110—
1998000—
1997021—
1996021—
1995021—

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.