Model year record

1997 WESTERN STAR Constellation

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints in our copy of the federal file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V151000

Service brakes, air: supply: low pressure warning: switch

Component
Service brakes, air: supply: low pressure warning: switch
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
40
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-14
Owners notified
1997-10-10

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V075000

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Component
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
14
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-25
Owners notified
1997-06-09

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS AND TRUCK/TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH A FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT BOOT. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TOP OF THE OPENING IN THE ADAPTER PLATE CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO CONTACT THE TOP OF THE FIREWALL ADAPTER OPENING WEARING A GROOVE IN THE STEERING SHAFT. IF THE GROOVE IS ALLOWED TO WEAR DEEP ENOUGH, THE SHAFT CAN FAIL.

Safety risk

IF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILS, STEERING CONTROL WILL BE LOST INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints in our copy of the federal file for this model year. The daily feed covers recent filings; older history appears only after a full-history rebuild.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.