Recall 17V628 covers 41 2016 Western Star 4900 and Cascadia trucks for loose tie rod hardware. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 41 2016 4900 and Cascadia trucks because the castellated nut on certain Spicer steer axles can be under-torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen. If the tie rod disconnects from the steering knuckle, the truck can lose steering control and raise crash risk; Western Star dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steer axle on 2016 Western Star 4900 and Cascadia vehicles carries the front wheels and lets them turn in response to the steering wheel. The tie rod is the steering link that keeps the front wheels pointed together, and a castellated nut is the slotted fastener that locks that joint in place on the axle.
On trucks built with the recalled Dana front steer axles, that nut was not tightened to the required torque. When the nut is loose, the tie rod joint has room to move instead of staying clamped tight. That movement lets the tie rod loosen further as the truck is driven, which reduces steering precision and makes the front end feel unstable.
Owners have a warning sign before failure. Listen for a significant noise from the front steering area and watch for looseness in the steering wheel or front end. If either shows up, treat it as a steering problem and arrange dealer service.
Who's affected?
Both listed models are tied to the steering system and tie rod assembly.
| 2016 Western Star 4900 | tie rod (steering linkage) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Western Star 4900 | steering system |
| 2016 Freightliner Cascadia | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2016 Freightliner Cascadia | steering system |
| Units affected | 41 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
A loose tie rod can disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing complete loss of steering and increasing crash risk. Treat loud steering noise or loose steering feel as a warning sign. Pull over safely if either appears, then call the dealer before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Western Star 4900 or Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free steer-axle nut and tie rod inspection that keeps the tie rod secured to the steering knuckle.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 17V628 when you call.
- Stop driving and call the dealer if the steering feels loose or the truck wanders before repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Western Star technician inspects the torque on the castellated nut and tie rod, then tightens the hardware if it is loose. If the tie rod stud and knuckle cannot be tightened enough, the technician replaces the knuckle and tie rod end assembly. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. The manufacturer's general reimbursement plan covers eligible out-of-pocket repairs already paid before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk when you ask about reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 6, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 4, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| December 4, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 4, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 7, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V628?
Recall 17V628 covers 41 2016 Western Star 4900 and Cascadia vehicles with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axle tie rod was not torqued correctly, which can let the tie rod loosen. Dealers inspect and tighten the assembly, or replace parts, for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Western Star 4900 or Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V628. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer and reference recall FL-751. The dealer will inspect the castellated nut and tie rod torque, tighten the assembly, or replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 17V628, the dealer inspection, tightening, and any needed knuckle and tie rod end assembly replacement are free at a franchised Western Star dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering. If the tie rod loosens and disconnects from the steering knuckle, the driver can lose steering control, increasing crash risk. Recall 17V628 addresses that risk with a dealer inspection and free repair path.
When were owners notified about recall 17V628?
Owner notification has already happened. Western Star issued an interim owner notice on December 4, 2017, and the recall repair began on March 7, 2018. If you never received a letter, check your VIN and call the dealer with recall number FL-751.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V628000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V628 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V628000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall 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 →