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Campaign 18V353 Posted May 29, 2018 8,741 units

2017-2019 Western Star Trucks Recall 18V353: Caliper Bolts

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

Recall 18V353 covers 8,741 2017-2019 Western Star trucks and chassis for loose brake caliper bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.

Western Star is recalling 8,741 2017-2019 trucks and chassis, including 5700, 4900, and 4700 models, because brake caliper mounting bolts on air disc brake vehicles can loosen after insufficient tightening. Loose caliper bolts can reduce braking performance and increase crash risk; Western Star dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The air disc brake caliper on affected 2017-2019 Western Star trucks is the part that squeezes the brake pads against the disc rotor when the driver brakes. Its mounting bolts hold the caliper firmly in position, so the brake force reaches the wheel instead of letting the caliper shift.

On these vehicles, the brake caliper mounting bolts were not tightened enough during assembly at the York Manufacturing Plant. A loose bolt can back out farther as the truck is driven. If enough clamp force is lost, the caliper no longer stays secured the way the brake system was designed to work.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on noise, pedal feel, or a warning light to confirm this defect before having the affected brake caliper bolts inspected and corrected.

Who's affected?

Spans truck and chassis lines across the 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years, all tied to the hydraulic brake system.

2019 Western Star 5700 hydraulic brake system
2019 Western Star 4900 hydraulic brake system
2019 Western Star 4700 hydraulic brake system
2018 Freightliner 108SD hydraulic brake system
2018 Freightliner Cascadia hydraulic brake system
Units affected8,741
Field incidentsNHTSA 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 vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

In NHTSA campaign 18V353, loose brake caliper mounting bolts can reduce braking performance and increase crash risk. This is a braking-system recall, so schedule the dealer inspection soon rather than waiting for routine service. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Western Star 5700, 4900, 4700, 108SD, Cascadia, 114SD, Xcp, Xcm, Xcr, Xcs, Business Class M2, Xbr, Xbs, S2G, S2C 106CAB, or Xcl is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free brake-caliper-bolt inspection and tightening that addresses loose caliper bolts and reduced braking performance.
  3. Bring the recall notice to the dealer, or reference recall number 18V353 and Western Star recall FL-772 when you call.
  4. Leave extra stopping distance and avoid hard braking until the repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Western Star technician inspects the brake caliper mounting bolts on trucks equipped with air disc brakes. If the bolts are loose or were not tightened enough, the technician tightens them. The recall repair is free, including the inspection and any tightening needed. The campaign has already begun, so an included VIN can be handled through a Western Star dealer service appointment.

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)
September 4, 2018 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V353?

Recall 18V353 covers 8,741 2017-2019 Western Star trucks and chassis equipped with air disc brakes. The brake caliper mounting bolts were not tightened enough, so the bolts can loosen and reduce braking performance. Dealers will inspect the bolts and tighten them for free.

What should I do if my 2017-2019 Western Star truck or chassis is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V353. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer and ask for the brake caliper mounting bolt inspection under recall 18V353. The dealer will tighten the bolts as needed for free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V353, the dealer will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as needed, with parts and labor covered.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is reduced braking performance. If the brake caliper mounting bolts loosen, the affected brake hardware can lose clamping security, which increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer inspection and bolt tightening if your vehicle is included.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2017-2019 Western Star truck or chassis is included, then reference recall 18V353 when you call the dealer.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V353000
Western Star customer service1-800-547-0712
NHTSA recall #18V353
NHTSA recall # (full)18V353000

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 →