Recall 17V124 affects 450 2015-2018 Western Star 4900 trucks for improper aluminum air tank welds. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 450 2015-2018 4900 trucks because improperly welded aluminum air tanks can rapidly lose air pressure. That pressure loss can suddenly apply the park brakes without warning and increase crash risk, and Western Star dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The aluminum air tanks on 2015-2018 Western Star 4900 trucks are part of the air brake system. They store compressed air so the service brakes have pressure available when the driver presses the brake pedal, and so the parking brake system works as designed. On trucks with triple compartment tanks, the tank has separate chambers built into one aluminum assembly.
On affected trucks, the welds in that tank were not formed correctly during assembly. The filing points to incomplete weld penetration, porosity, and misaligned end caps, which means the metal pieces were not fully joined and sealed. Those weak weld areas can separate, causing a rapid loss of air pressure. When air pressure drops, braking ability is reduced or the parking brakes can apply, increasing crash risk.
There is no warning sign before the air pressure loss begins. The first thing a driver notices can be the truck losing air pressure quickly, with reduced braking response or parking brake application.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 model years for the 4900, all tied to the brake system.
| 2015 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
| 2017 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
| 2018 Western Star 4900 | brake system |
| Units affected | 450 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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 rapid loss of air pressure can reduce braking ability or trigger sudden park brake application without warning, increasing crash risk. If air pressure drops or the park brakes apply unexpectedly, stop as safely as traffic allows and call the dealer before driving farther. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Western Star 4900 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free steel air-tank replacement that addresses the improper welds and rapid air-pressure loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Western Star mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V124 when you call.
- Call Western Star customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about dealer scheduling or recall number FL-732.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete; leave extra following distance because sudden park-brake application is the stated safety risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Western Star technician replaces the affected aluminum air tanks with steel triple compartment air tanks. The service facility removes the recalled tanks, installs the steel replacements, and checks the air tank installation before returning the truck. Parts and labor are covered under recall 17V124, and the repair is available through authorized Daimler Trucks North America service facilities.
Timeline
| February 27, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 27, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| April 27, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 27, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V124?
Recall 17V124 covers 450 2015-2018 Western Star 4900 trucks with aluminum air tanks that have improper welds. A rapid loss of air pressure without warning can suddenly apply the park brakes and increase crash risk. Western Star dealers replace the aluminum air tanks with steel, triple compartment air tanks for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Western Star 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 17V124. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the air tank replacement. Reference recall number 17V124 and DTNA recall number FL-732 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 17V124 is free. A franchised Western Star dealer will replace the aluminum air tanks with steel, triple compartment air tanks.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a rapid loss of air pressure without warning. That loss can suddenly apply the park brakes while the truck is moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free air tank replacement if your truck is included.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the air pressure loss described in recall 17V124. Treat the VIN result as the deciding factor, not symptoms. If your truck is included, contact a franchised Western Star dealer for the free air tank replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V124000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V124 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V124000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →