Total Complaints
1 filings
WESTERN STAR 4900 · model year
2012 WESTERN STAR 4900
1 NHTSA complaints, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012WESTERN STAR4900 carries 1 consumer safety complaint in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 4900 is fuel/propulsion system with 1 filings. Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
No open NHTSA investigation overlaps the 2012 4900 in the current dataset. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
1
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
Recalls (8)
18V50300031/07/2018
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Freightliner Cascadia, Coronado, Business Class M2, 114SD, and Western Star 4900 trucks. In certain front axle, brake lining, and brake spider combinations, braking may cause high vibrations, resulting in early failure of the t
18V35100029/05/2018
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 trucks built with Lowmax hoods and disc brakes. There may be insufficient clearance between the front brake hose and the hood resulting in the brake hose being chafed.
17V76100028/11/2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2008-2018 Freightliner Cascadia, Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, and 6900 trucks. After hard brake applications, the brake light pressure switch may not activate the brake lights with a light application of the brake pedal.
12V07400028/02/2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL EPA07 AND EPA10, DD13 AND DD15/16 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2012. THE PUMP TO RAIL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE SUPPORT
11V60500027/12/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
DAIMLER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND WESTERN STAR 4900 EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 13, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A DD13 EPA10 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINE. THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN SOFTWARE NORMALLY PROVIDED TO
11V28300016/05/2011
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2010, THROUGH MAY 13, 2011, WITH STANDARD CAB HEIGHT AND A DD13 ENGINE. THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY AIRLINES FOR THE FOOT VALVE MAY CONTACT THE AIR INTAKE ON THE ENGINE. RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE CAB
17V81000015/12/2017
EQUIPMENT
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers tha
13V40100005/09/2013
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured May 27, 2008, through March 22, 2013. A potential misalignment of a clearance hole in the B-pillar reinforcement may affect the performance of the seatbelt D-ring anchorage poin
Recent Complaints
20160115FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL LINE CRACKED AND BEGAN LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,471.
Mileage: 280,471
Compare 2012WESTERN STAR4900 to Similar Vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 have?▼
The 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 has 1 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900?▼
Yes, the 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include various components.
Is the 2012 WESTERN STAR 4900 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.