Western Star HERITAGE recalls by model year

Reported: 1996-08-01 (August 1, 1996) · Model years: 1995, 1996

THE BRAKE RETURN SPRING CAN CONTACT THE HUB. FURTHER WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINING MATERIAL WILL LEAD TO WEAR OF THE RETURN SPRING AND THE SPRING CAN FAIL PREMATURELY.

Consequence: PIECES OF THE FAILED SPRING COULD THEN LODGE IN THE BRAKE CAM CAUSING EITHER THE AFFECTED BRAKE TO STAY APPLIED WHEN THE OTHER BRAKES HAVE BEEN RELEASED, OR STOPPING THE AFFECTED BRAKE FROM APPLYING WHEN THE OTHER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN BE PULLED IN A LATERAL DIRECTION OFF THE ROAD OR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE FRONT BRAKES ON THESE TRUCKS.

Reported: 1988-07-12 (July 12, 1988) · Model years: 1996

THE OUTER STAINLESS STEEL SKIN ON THE MUFFLER COULD REACH TEMPERATURES OVER 400 DEGREES.

Consequence: PERSONS USING THE MUFFLER MOUNTED GRAB HANDLES FORSUPPORT TO ENTER OR EXIT THE CAB COULD RECEIVE SEVERE HAND OR ARM BURNS.

Remedy: ADD HEAT SHIELDS TO THE STAINLESS STEEL WRAPPED MUFFLERS IN QUESTION.

Reported: 1988-08-04 (August 4, 1988) · Model years: 1996

STEERING ARMS USED ON FRONT AXLES CONTAIN DIMENSIONAL INCONSISTENCIES.

Consequence: STEERING ARMS COULD EVENTUALLY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS.

Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT FRONT STEERING ARMS.

Reported: 1989-01-03 (January 3, 1989) · Model years: 1996

CABLES USED FOR THROTTLE CONTROL ARE SUBJECT TO FAILING IN SERVICE DUE TO VIBRATIONAL FATIGUE BETWEEN THE CABLE END SLEEVE AND HUB.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE CABLE NOT ALLOWING THE THROTTLE TORETURN TO THE IDLE POSTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT THROTTLE CABLES WITH THROTTLE RODS.

Reported: 1997-09-14 (September 14, 1997) · Model years: 1997

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."

Consequence: AIR BRAKE RELEASE TIME MAY BE LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED BY THE OPERATOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE QUICK RELEASE VALVE IN EACH OF THE DROP LINES TO THE REAR MOST BRAKE CHAMBERS.

Reported: 1997-09-14 (September 14, 1997) · Model years: 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FONTAINE SL6FM229-8375 FIXED FIFTH WHEELS. THE FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATE FLANGES IN THE FRONT AND REAR CAN INTERFERE WITH THE NORMAL ARTICULATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL. THIS INTERFERENCE CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK HANDLE AND/OR THE TOP PLATE.

Consequence: DAMAGE OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TRACTOR AND THE SEMI-TRAILER ALLOWING THE SEMI-TRAILER TO SEPARATE FROM THE TRACTOR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATES AND REPAIR ANY DAMAGED FIFTH WHEEL COMPONENTS.

Reported: 2001-02-21 (February 21, 2001) · Model years: 1999

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.

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

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.