2024 Western Star 49x problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Western Star 49X and 2021-2027 Western Star 47X vehicles. A stud connecting the battery to the starter at the frame rail may have been incorrectly installed or may corrode, which can cause a short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will repair the studs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1029. This recall replaces and expands NHTSA recall number 25V326. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X, Freightliner Business Class M2, Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner 108SD, 2021-2026 Western Star 47X, 2021-2023 Freightliner 122SD, 2022 Western Star 48X, and 2023 Western Star 4700 vehicles. The axle clamp fasteners may be loose, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1027.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Western Star 49X and 2021-2026 Western Star 47X vehicles. A stud connecting the battery to the starter at the frame rail may have been incorrectly installed, which can cause a short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: DTNA will inspect and replace damaged cables and loose hardware. In addition, DTNA will properly tighten hardware and install dielectric tape. All repairs will be performed, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2025. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1020. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 26V079. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Freightliner 108SD, 2022-2025 Freightliner 114SD, Freightliner Business Class M2, 2025 Freightliner eM2, 2020-2025 Western Star 49X, 2021-2025 Western Star 47X, and 2022-2025 Western Star 57X vehicles that may be upfitted with a body lighting interface controller and replacement brake lights. The brake lights may not illuminate when the brakes are automatically applied during an active brake assist (ABA) event.

Risk: Brake lights that fail to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the ABA software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is F1009.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Western Star 49X vehicles. The suspension hanger may fail due to missing welds, which can result in difficulty steering and maintaining the direction of the front two wheels.

Risk: Difficulty steering and a loss of directional control increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: DTNA will replace the suspension hanger, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL994.

Defect: Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Western Star 49X and 2025 Freightliner Cascadia vehicles. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software has incorrect axle spacing parameters. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 136, "Electronic Stability Control Systems on Heavy Vehicles."

Risk: Incorrect parameters can decrease vehicle stability or braking performance, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the ESC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2024. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL993.