Recall 14V527 affects 3 2014-2015 Western Star 4900 trucks built without ABS. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 3 2014-2015 4900 trucks because they were built without anti-lock brake systems. Without ABS, the wheels are more likely to lock during braking, increasing crash risk; the Western Star dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The anti-lock brake system, or ABS, is the part of the air brake system that helps keep the wheels from locking during hard braking. On a 2014-2015 Western Star 4900, the service brakes use air pressure to slow the truck, and the ABS is supposed to control that pressure when a wheel starts to skid.
On the affected trucks, the ABS was not installed during manufacture. That means the truck still has air brakes, but it lacks the anti-lock control required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems." The defect is the missing safety system, not a worn hose, valve, or sensor.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner does not get a gradual symptom from a part wearing out, because the required ABS equipment is absent from the start.
Who's affected?
Both model years point to the same anti-lock brake system (ABS) component.
| 2015 Western Star 4900 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
|---|---|
| 2014 Western Star 4900 | anti-lock brake system (ABS) |
| Units affected | 3 |
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?
Without ABS, the affected vehicle has a greater chance of wheel lock up during braking, which increases crash risk. Drive cautiously, leave more room to brake, and schedule the recall work promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Western Star dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 Western Star 4900 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to ask whether the free ABS installation is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 14V527 and DTNA recall FL-665 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the ABS installation is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking when traffic allows.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Western Star technician installs the Anti-lock Brake System that was missing from the affected trucks. The work is the recall remedy for campaign 14V527, and parts and labor are covered. Because the remedy status is not marked available here, confirm the current repair status with a Western Star dealer before arranging service. Once the repair is available for your VIN, the dealer completes the ABS installation free under the recall.
Timeline
| September 3, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 28, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V527?
Recall 14V527 covers 3 2014-2015 Western Star 4900 trucks built without an Anti-lock Brake System. Without ABS, the truck has a greater chance of wheel lock up during braking, increasing crash risk. Western Star dealers will install the ABS equipment for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 Western Star 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 14V527. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the Anti-lock Brake System installation. Reference recall number 14V527 and recall code FL-665 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V527, the dealer will install an Anti-lock Brake System free of charge at a franchised Western Star dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel lock up during braking. The affected Western Star 4900 trucks were built without ABS, so hard braking gives the wheels a greater chance of locking, which increases crash risk.
When did the Western Star 4900 ABS recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on October 28, 2014. Owners can contact Western Star customer service at 1-800-745-8000 or call a franchised Western Star dealer and ask about recall 14V527, also identified by recall code FL-665.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V527000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V527 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V527000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →