Recall 11V283 affects 94 2011-2012 Western Star 4900 trucks for chafing brake air lines. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 94 2011-2012 4900 trucks because foot-valve air lines can rub against the engine air intake and chafe. A hole in the delivery air line can reduce braking capacity at the front or rear brakes, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The foot valve on a 2011-2012 Western Star 4900 is the air-brake valve controlled by the brake pedal. When the driver presses the pedal, the valve sends compressed air through supply and delivery air lines so the service brakes apply. Those air lines need clear routing so they do not rub against nearby engine parts.
On trucks with the standard cab height and DD13 engine, the supply and delivery air lines for the foot valve can contact the engine air intake. The cab and engine move relative to each other during normal operation. That movement lets the delivery air lines chafe against the air intake, which wears the line material where it touches.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing does not list a sound, light, or pedal change that appears before the air line has already been damaged.
Who's affected?
Covers the 4900 across the 2011 and 2012 model years, with both years tied to the brake system.
| 2012 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
| Units affected | 94 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A hole in the delivery air line can reduce braking capacity to the front or rear brakes and increase the risk of a crash. Use extra following distance, avoid hard braking when safe to do so, and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Western Star dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Western Star 4900 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to confirm the repair status before scheduling service.
- Schedule the free air-line inspection and rerouting that adds clearance from the engine air intake and helps prevent brake-line chafing.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V283 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete and leave extra stopping distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Western Star technician inspects the foot valve supply and delivery air lines near the engine air intake. The repair calls for rerouting the air lines as needed so they have more clearance from the intake and stop chafing against it. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the recall work is tied to campaign 11V283 before the truck is written up.
Timeline
| May 16, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 31, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V283?
Recall 11V283 covers 94 2011-2012 Western Star 4900 trucks with standard cab height and a DD13 engine. The foot-valve air lines can contact the engine air intake, chafe, and reduce braking capacity. Western Star dealers inspect and reroute the air lines for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Western Star 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V283. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer and ask for the air-line inspection and rerouting. Reference recall number 11V283 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Western Star dealer will inspect the foot-valve air lines and reroute them when needed to add clearance from the engine air intake.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced braking capacity. If the delivery air line chafes and develops a hole, air pressure to the front or rear brakes can drop, increasing crash risk. The dealer repair addresses the air-line routing problem for free.
What if I bought my Western Star 4900 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011-2012 Western Star 4900 is included, then contact a franchised Western Star dealer and reference recall number 11V283.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V283000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V283 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V283000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- 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 →