Recall 11V207 affects 88 2008-2010 Western Star 4900 trucks for combustion tube weld degradation. Free repair at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star recalled 88 2008-2010 4900 trucks with Caterpillar C15 engines because a combustion tube weld can degrade and direct heat into the engine body. That heat can burn through certain engine bodies and result in a fire; the Western Star dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2008-2010 Western Star 4900 trucks in this recall use Caterpillar C15 engines. Inside that engine system, a combustion tube helps route hot combustion gases where they belong. A weld on that tube holds the joint together so heat stays contained instead of being directed at nearby engine body surfaces.
On the recalled trucks, that combustion tube weld degrades. As the weld breaks down, heat hits the body of the engine area from the side instead of staying controlled inside the tube. That radial heat contact can burn through certain C15 engine bodies, which turns an internal engine-cooling problem into a heat-damage problem that needs dealer repair.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not count on a dashboard light, noise, smell, or visible leak before the weld problem reaches the point where heat burns through.
Who's affected?
Spans three model years of the 4900 line, all tied to the same engine and engine cooling component.
| 2010 Western Star 4900 | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2009 Western Star 4900 | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Western Star 4900 | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 88 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
The defect creates a fire risk. If your 2008-2010 Western Star 4900 is included, schedule the recall work soon and ask the dealer how to handle the truck until the repair is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Western Star dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2010 Western Star 4900 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer and ask whether the Caterpillar C15 engine combustion-tube repair is open for your truck.
- Ask the dealer to replace the single-piece combustion tube with the thick-wall combustion tube that stops heat from burning through the engine body.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V207 when you call.
- Call Caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 with questions about owner notification and the free engine repair.
What happens at the repair
Caterpillar handles the owner notice and remedy for this engine campaign. At the dealer, a Western Star technician replaces the single piece combustion tube in the C15 engine with a thick wall combustion tube designed to stop heat from breaking through. The remedy text says this service is performed free of charge, and the safety recall began in August 2011. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. No separate reimbursement plan is listed in the source record, so ask the service desk to confirm any prior repair handling before work begins.
Timeline
| March 29, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 4, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V207?
Recall 11V207 covers 88 2008-2010 Western Star 4900 trucks with Caterpillar C15 engines. A combustion tube weld can degrade and direct heat into the engine body, resulting in fire risk. Caterpillar will replace the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2010 Western Star 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V207. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer or Caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 and reference recall 11V207. Caterpillar is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy to be performed at no cost, and the campaign remedy says this service is free. Caterpillar will replace the single piece combustion tube with a thick wall combustion tube.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The recall says degradation of a combustion tube weld can direct heat into the engine body and burn through bodies used on Caterpillar C15 engines. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free combustion tube replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V207000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-447-4986 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V207 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V207000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →