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Campaign 18V351 Posted May 29, 2018 640 units

2012-2019 Western Star 4900 Recall 18V351: Brake Hose

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 18V351 affects 640 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 trucks for front brake hose chafing. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.

Western Star is recalling 640 2012-2019 4900 trucks built with Lowmax hoods and disc brakes because the front brake hose can rub against the hood and chafe. That damage can cause air loss, reduce braking effectiveness, and increase crash risk, and Western Star dealers will complete the repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The front brake hose on a 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 with a Lowmax hood and disc brakes is the flexible line that lets the front brake system move with the axle and suspension. It has to carry brake pressure while the wheels steer, the suspension travels, and the hood sits above the hose with enough space around it.

On affected trucks, that space is too tight. When the suspension articulates during normal use, the hood can interfere with the front brake hose. The contact can rub the hose surface, a condition called chafing. Repeated chafing can wear through the hose material and leave the brake system with a damaged front hose.

There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem happens at the hose and hood clearance area, an owner or technician would need to inspect that area to see rubbing or hose damage.

Who's affected?

Spans model years 2012-2019, all tied to the same brake system component.

2019 Western Star 4900 brake system
2018 Western Star 4900 brake system
2017 Western Star 4900 brake system
2016 Western Star 4900 brake system
2015 Western Star 4900 brake system
Units affected640
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date.

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.

What's the safety risk?

Chafing on the front brake hose can let air escape from the brake system, reducing braking effectiveness and increasing crash risk. If braking feels weaker or the truck takes longer to stop, pull over safely and contact a Western Star dealer for guidance. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 is included in this recall.
  2. Contact your nearest franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free front axle brake hose replacement that fixes brake hose chafing, air loss, and reduced braking effectiveness.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Western Star mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V351 when you call.
  4. Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking when safe.
  5. Call Western Star customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions and reference Western Star recall FL-773.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Western Star technician replaces the front axle brake hose covered by recall 18V351. The hose is the part that runs brake fluid to the front axle brake assembly, so the repair removes the chafed hose from service and installs a replacement hose with proper clearance from the Lowmax hood. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available through a Western Star dealer.

Timeline

May 29, 2018 NHTSA published the recall
July 27, 2018 Dealer notification began
July 27, 2018 Dealer notification ended
July 27, 2018 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
November 27, 2018 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V351?

Recall 18V351 covers 640 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 trucks built with Lowmax hoods and disc brakes. The front brake hose can rub against the hood, causing chafing and air loss that reduces braking effectiveness. Western Star dealers replace the front axle brake hose for free.

What should I do if my 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V351. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the front axle brake hose replacement. Reference recall number 18V351 or FL-773 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, and Western Star dealers replace the front axle brake hose free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 18V351.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is reduced braking effectiveness. If the front brake hose chafes and loses air, the truck can have less braking force, increasing crash risk. The repair path is to have a Western Star dealer replace the affected front axle brake hose for free.

What if I bought my Western Star 4900 used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the truck, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012-2019 Western Star 4900 is included, then call a franchised Western Star dealer and reference recall 18V351 or FL-773.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V351000
Western Star customer service1-800-547-0712
NHTSA recall #18V351
NHTSA recall # (full)18V351000

Source documents

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 →