2023 Western Star 49X Trucks Recalled Due to Tie Rod Defects
Certain 2023 Western Star and Freightliner trucks are being recalled because tie rod clamps may be improperly heat-treated and crack, potentially causing loss of steering control.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle defect affecting the steering linkage. Improperly heat-treated tie rod clamps can crack and separate, resulting in sudden loss of steering control and increased crash risk, meeting the criteria for Severe classification due to structural vehicle defect.
Plain-English summary
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling certain Western Star and Freightliner trucks due to a steering defect. The affected vehicles are 2022 and 2023 Western Star 4700 trucks, and 2023 Western Star 4900, 49X, 6900, and Freightliner 114SD trucks, approximately 36 vehicles in total.
The tie rod clamps in the steering linkage may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing, which can cause them to crack. If a tie rod clamp cracks, the tie rod can separate from the steering assembly, resulting in a sudden loss of steering control and increased crash risk.
Owners were notified by letter on March 15, 2023. The repair is free and involves replacing the tie rod clamps at an authorized dealer. Owners can contact Daimler Trucks North America customer service at 1-800-547-0712 to schedule the repair, or contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for more information.
The recalled product
- Product
- WESTERN STAR, FREIGHTLINER 4700, 4900, 49X, 114SD
- Brand
- WESTERN STAR
- Manufacturer
- Daimler Trucks North America, LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — Steering System
- Affected units
- 36
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (5)
- 4700
- 4900
- 49X
- 114SD
- 6900
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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