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2002-2024 · 23 model years

Western Star 4700 Problems by year

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the Western Star 4700 across 23 model years, and it has 49 recalls. The 2021 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (1), while 2024 has far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the electrical system, followed by the steering.

Share your 4700 experienceCompare years49 recalls
Most complaints for its age20211 complaint · 14 recallsSee the 2021
Complaints
5
Recalls
49
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
1

4700 complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20241000Electrical systemA
20230400-F
20220800-F
202111410BrakesF
202021200BrakesF
201901400-F
201801200-F
20171900SteeringF
20160700-D
201501200-F
20140900-F
20130500-C
20120400-C
20110300-B
20100300-B
20090300-B
20080200-B
20070100-A
20060100-A
20050100-A
20040100-A
20030100-A
20020100-A

Most common 4700 problems

Western Star 4700 recalls 49

Latest 4700 complaints

2020 Western Star 4700BrakesDriver assistance1 death

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Automated emergency breaking ABS Forward collision warning, potentially others. Unsure if the vehicle is available for inspection due to insurance claim. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Collision mitigation system error. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Police and Insurance representative. Were there any warning...

Read the full complaint

lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, vehicle was sent to a certified manufacturer maintenance partner for active MIL/check engine lamp. Documentation of services performed describes a situation related to a fault code specifically regarding the collision mitigation system that the technicians were unable to diagnose with the tools available. Vehicle was released without any further modifications. The receipt with written detail is attached to this form.

Filed Incident Service brakes · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11698636
2024 Western Star 4700Electrical system

The contact owns a 2024 Western Star 4700. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V326000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11678470
2020 Western Star 4700SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Western Star utilizes relay in master power distribution, they call PNDB. When this device is faulty it interrupts the power to engine causing truck engine to shut down. This shut down has happened with the truck fully loaded (71,000 LBS) traveling at 60 mph a couple of times. With no engine power you lose power steering. This is a very dangerous condition that I have discovered is more common than it should be. Talk to any Western Star service department. The Service Department knew exactly what the problem was and related to me this is common.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11639895
2021 Western Star 4700BrakesCrash

The contact owns a 2021 Western Star 4700 WD110084S. The contact stated that an employee was parked on a hill and the parking brake was activated, however, while the worker was outside of the vehicle for approximately 4 minutes, the parking brake was deactivated. The vehicle rolled forward down a hill and stopped when it crashed into a tree. There was yard damage to a resident's home. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the entire cab was replaced. The contact discovered an unknown NHTSA Campaign, however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11584008
2017 Western Star 4700Steering

There is binding on steering wheel during the static steering of the truck on the pavement at stationary position. The problem is worse when tuck is loaded, or has a front attachment, such as our snow-plows. The situation causes concern to operators when they are parking and or moving in within the yard.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10968710

Questions about the Western Star 4700

Which Western Star 4700 years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2020 (2), 2017 (1), 2021 (1). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2021 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Western Star 4700 years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2002, 2003, 2004 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other 4700 years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Western Star 4700 problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the electrical system (2), steering (2), brakes (2) most often.

How many recalls does the Western Star 4700 have?

NHTSA lists 49 recalls across all Western Star 4700 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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