Western Star 4900 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
83 distinct recall campaigns
108,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 17 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 |
Tires: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Wheels: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Parking Brake: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11197338 · 2019-04-19 (April 19, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 WESTERN STAR 4900SB. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND ATTEMPTING TO SET THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE DRIVER HAD TO REMOVE HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ACTIVATE THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS TO REMOVE HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREIGHTLINER NORTHWEST (13232 CASE RD SW, OYMPIA, WA), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID …
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11197338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418380 · 2021-05-24 (May 24, 2021)
Center pin in front leaf springs is not long enough to enter hole in front axle which, keeps them from moving side to side and front to rear. This caused axle to move front and back egg shaping the spacers and causing u bolts to loosen. This could have been catastrophic if it had not been caught by mechanic after I noticed something not being right. The front axle could have folded under the weight of the truck had I had to apply the brakes hard to stop which could have caused a terrible accident. This has kept me in the shop for over a week. N…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418380 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
2007: 14; 2008: 17; 2009: 16; 2010: 14; 2011: 14; 2012: 8; 2013: 8; 2014: 11; 2015: 14; 2016: 10; 2017: 16; 2018: 16; 2019: 15; 2020: 7; 2021: 9; 2022: 7; 2023: 4
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 2 | Not available |
| 1999 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 2001 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 2003 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 | 5 | +3 |
| 2005 | 2 | 7 | +2 |
| 2006 | 1 | 10 | +3 |
| 2007 | 0 | 14 | +4 |
| 2008 | 0 | 17 | +3 |
| 2009 | 1 | 16 | -1 |
| 2010 | 0 | 14 | -2 |
| 2011 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 8 | -6 |
| 2013 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3 | 11 | +3 |
| 2015 | 1 | 14 | +3 |
| 2016 | 0 | 10 | -4 |
| 2017 | 0 | 16 | +6 |
| 2018 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 15 | -1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 7 | -8 |
| 2021 | 0 | 9 | +2 |
| 2022 | 0 | 7 | -2 |
| 2023 | 0 | 4 | -3 |