Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
21
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-05
Owners notified
1996-02-27
Defect description
THESE HEAVY TRUCKS WERE EQUIPPED WITH EXHAUST MUFFLERS WITHOUT HEAT SHIELDING.
Safety risk
SOMEONE WORKING BEHIND THE CAB COULD CONTACT THE HOT MUFFLER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. ALSO SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DECK PLATES WITH NO GRAB HANDLES FOR ACCESS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL MUFFLER SHIELDS AND, WHERE NECESSARY, GRAB HANDLES.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
48
Reported to NHTSA
1995-02-22
Owners notified
1995-07-20
Defect description
THE BRAKE RETURN SPRINGS ON THE FRONT BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE FRONT HUBS AS THE BRAKE PADS AND DRUMS WEAR, RESULTING IN SPRING FAILURE. A PIECE OF THE FAILED SPRING CAN LODGE IN THE BRAKE CAM CAUSING THE BRAKE TO DRAG AND THE STEERING TO PULL TO ONE SIDE.
Safety risk
STEERING PULL FROM THE DRAGGING BRAKE CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUBS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
THE CAB ACCESS GRAB HANDLES HAVE THINNER THAN SPECIFIED WALL THICKNESS AND ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FAILURE BREAKING AT THE BEND RADIUS NEAR THE UPPER MOUNTING BOLT HOLE.
Safety risk
FAILURE DURING USE OF THE GRAB HANDLES CAN CAUSE AUSER TO FALL RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
WESTERN STAR DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND DESTROY THE RECALLED GRAB HANDLES. NEW HANDLES WILL BE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES.
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
10,893
Reported to NHTSA
1992-10-08
Owners notified
1993-01-04
Defect description
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE ALUMINUM CLUTCH RELEASE LEVER CAN OCCUR FROM STRESS CORROSION DUE TO CONTINUOUS LOADING OF THE LEVER AND EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT SPRAY.
Safety risk
IF THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THECLUTCH IS RENDERED INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATOR CANNOT CONTROL THEVEHICLE SPEED BY UP-SHIFTING OR DOWN-SHIFTING, WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL.
WHEN BRAKE AIR LINES AND BATTERY ELECTRICAL CABLES ARE ROUTED THROUGH THE ANGLE BRACKETS ON THE FRAME RAILS, THE LEAF SPRING MAY RUB AGAINST THE BATTERY CABLES OR AIR LINES, CAUSING FRAYING AND EVENTUALLY RUPTURE.
Safety risk
IF THE BATTERY CABLES ARE SUFFICIENTLY FRAYED, THE CABLESMAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND RESULT IN A FIRE. IF THE BRAKE AIR LINES ARERUPTURED OR PUNCTURED, SEVERELY DECREASED BRAKING ABILITY MAY ENSUE.
Manufacturer remedy
REROUTE BATTERY AND AIR LINE HOSES AWAY FROM THE REAR TRANSMISSION SUPPORT SPRING.
THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS MAY FAIL DURING NORMAL OPERATION WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Safety risk
IF BOTH THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS FAIL THE ENGINE THROTTLENAT NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSTION WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS MAYRESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS.
SEAT BELTS DESIGNED FOR USE ON DRIVER'S SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON PASSENGER SEATS; THIS CAUSES THE STRAP CONNECTING THE BUCKLE TO THE FLOOR TO BE TWISTED.
Safety risk
STRESSES WITHIN THE BUCKLE RESULT IN FAILURE TO COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
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.