RoadVitals

1996 Western Star Conventional

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 Jan 20, 1999
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.
3
Latest Aug 1, 1996
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1996 Western Star Conventional, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Powertrain (other)1100.0%

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

3 campaigns 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
96V124003

SUSPENSION

Aug 1, 1996
36 units potentially affected
The defect: THE EQUALIZING BEAM SHAFT OF THE TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION WERE MANUFACTURED FROM AS-ROLLED SAE4140 STEEL RATHER THAN THE SPECIFIED ANNEALED SAE4140. THESE SHAFTS CAN FRACTURE INSIDE THE BEAM AT THE TOE OF THE WELD.
The risk: VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE TILT AND POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IN THE EVENT THAT BOTH EQUALIZING BEAMS, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCE A SIMULTANEOUS SHAFT FAILURE. AFFECTED SUSPENSIONS CAN ALSO DROP AND CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE GENERATING SPARKS WHICH COULD IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.
The remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL SUSPENSION SUSPENSION BEAMS WITH SUSPENSION BEAMS CONTAINING APPROPRIATE SHAFTS.
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V100000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Jun 17, 1996
325 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CAN INTERFERE WITH THE MAIN CAB DASH HARNESS WHICH PASSES BEHIND THE CENTER DASH SECTION. THE WIPER ARM CAN WEAR THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: IN ELECTRONIC ENGINES (CATERPILLAR ONLY) OR DDA ENGINES, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP. IF THE ENGINE WERE TO STOP SUDDENLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND MANEUVERING THROUGH TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS ROUTING.
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V053000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Mar 27, 1996
12 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE TRUCKS WERE NOT BUILT WITH INVERSION VALVES DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR. THE INVERSION VALVE PROVIDES MODULATED SPRING BRAKE APPLICATION DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING WHEN THE "A" PORTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED.
The risk: IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INVERSION VALVE IN THESE VEHICLES.
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 20, 1999
Fire reported

REAR DRIVE AXLE CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).

NHTSA ID
543443
Incident
Dec 4, 1998

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Western Star Conventional by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999200—
1996Viewing130—
1995050—
1994050—
1993030—
1992050—
1991050—
1990070—
1989080—
1988080—
1987070—
1986030—
1985020—
1984010—
1983010—

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.