Recall 13V401 affects 650 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 trucks for misaligned seatbelt D-ring anchorage points. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 650 2009-2014 4900 trucks because a misaligned clearance hole in the B-pillar reinforcement can affect the seatbelt D-ring anchorage point. In a crash, the seatbelt can fail to properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury; the Western Star dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 trucks, the front seat belt uses an upper D-ring anchorage on the B-pillar, the upright cab structure beside the seat. The D-ring is the shoulder-belt guide that holds the belt at the right height and anchors that load path into the cab structure during a crash. The B-pillar reinforcement is the metal backing that gives that anchor its strength.
In affected trucks, a clearance hole in that reinforcement is misaligned. That means the seat belt D-ring anchorage point does not sit against the reinforced structure the way it was designed to. When the belt is loaded, the anchor performance is affected because the load path through the B-pillar is not aligned with the intended reinforced area.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look normal from the driver's seat, so the issue is found by VIN inclusion and dealer inspection, not by a sound, light, or obvious belt problem.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model years for the 4900, all tied to the front seat belt anchorage.
| 2010 Western Star 4900 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2012 Western Star 4900 | seat belt |
| 2011 Western Star 4900 | seat belt |
| 2009 Western Star 4900 | seat belt |
| 2013 Western Star 4900 | seat belt |
| 2014 Western Star 4900 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 650 |
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?
In a crash, the seatbelt can fail to hold the occupant properly, increasing injury risk. Keep using the seatbelt, but schedule the recall repair promptly so the D-ring anchor points are reinforced. Repair will be free at any franchised Western Star dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Western Star notification before scheduling if your dealer says the remedy is not open for your VIN.
- Call a franchised Western Star dealer with recall number 13V401 and ask about the free D-ring anchor reinforcement that addresses the B-pillar clearance-hole misalignment.
- Bring the recall notice if Western Star has mailed one, and reference Western Star recall FL-645 when you call.
- Use the seat belt on every trip until the repair is complete, and ask the dealer for guidance if the belt or D-ring anchor looks loose or damaged.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Western Star technician will reinforce the seatbelt D-ring anchor points at the B-pillar. That work addresses the clearance-hole misalignment described in recall 13V401, which affects how the seatbelt anchorage performs. The remedy text says the reinforcement is free of charge. Confirm availability with a Western Star dealer before bringing the truck in, since the status supplied here is not marked available. When the repair opens for your VIN, parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| September 5, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V401?
Recall 13V401 covers 650 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 trucks with a B-pillar reinforcement hole that can affect the seatbelt D-ring anchorage point. In a crash, the seatbelt can fail to restrain the occupant properly. Western Star dealers reinforce the D-ring anchor points for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V401. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule reinforcement of the seatbelt D-ring anchor points. Reference recall number 13V401 and Western Star recall number FL-645 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. For recall 13V401, Western Star dealers reinforce the D-ring anchor points free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is weaker occupant restraint in a crash. The B-pillar reinforcement hole can affect the seatbelt D-ring anchorage point, and the seatbelt can fail to properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
What if I bought my Western Star 4900 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2009-2014 Western Star 4900 is included, then contact a franchised Western Star dealer and reference recall 13V401.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V401000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V401 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V401000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →