Model year record

1996 WESTERN STAR Conventional

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1 owner complaint on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V124003

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
36
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-01

Defect description

THE EQUALIZING BEAM SHAFT OF THE TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION WERE MANUFACTURED FROM AS-ROLLED SAE4140 STEEL RATHER THAN THE SPECIFIED ANNEALED SAE4140. THESE SHAFTS CAN FRACTURE INSIDE THE BEAM AT THE TOE OF THE WELD.

Safety risk

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE TILT AND POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IN THE EVENT THAT BOTH EQUALIZING BEAMS, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCE A SIMULTANEOUS SHAFT FAILURE. AFFECTED SUSPENSIONS CAN ALSO DROP AND CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE GENERATING SPARKS WHICH COULD IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL SUSPENSION SUSPENSION BEAMS WITH SUSPENSION BEAMS CONTAINING APPROPRIATE SHAFTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V100000

Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash

Component
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
325
Reported to NHTSA
1996-06-17
Owners notified
1996-06-14

Defect description

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CAN INTERFERE WITH THE MAIN CAB DASH HARNESS WHICH PASSES BEHIND THE CENTER DASH SECTION. THE WIPER ARM CAN WEAR THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

IN ELECTRONIC ENGINES (CATERPILLAR ONLY) OR DDA ENGINES, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP. IF THE ENGINE WERE TO STOP SUDDENLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND MANEUVERING THROUGH TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS ROUTING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V053000

Service brakes, air

Component
Service brakes, air
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
12
Reported to NHTSA
1996-03-27
Owners notified
1996-05-21

Defect description

THESE TRUCKS WERE NOT BUILT WITH INVERSION VALVES DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR. THE INVERSION VALVE PROVIDES MODULATED SPRING BRAKE APPLICATION DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING WHEN THE "A" PORTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED.

Safety risk

IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INVERSION VALVE IN THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: axle assembly1

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.