Recall 19V171 affects 361 2019 Western Star 4700 and 4900 trucks for mislabeled odometer distance. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 361 2019 Western Star 4700 and 4900 trucks because their odometers accumulate distance in kilometers while the display is labeled in miles. The mismatch can confuse drivers about distance traveled and speed, increasing crash risk, and Western Star dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument cluster in a 2019 Western Star 4700 or 4900 truck includes the speedometer and odometer display. The speedometer shows road speed, and the odometer records the distance the truck has traveled. The label on the display tells the driver which distance unit is being shown, so mileage records match what the owner and service desk expect.
On affected trucks, the odometer is counting distance in kilometers while the display is labeled as miles. That mismatch makes the truck appear to have traveled fewer labeled miles than the actual kilometer count represents. The problem is tied to certain speedometers installed in the affected production range, not to engine performance or the driveline.
There is no warning sign before failure. The display still looks like a normal odometer, but the distance unit behind the number does not match the miles label.
Who's affected?
Covers the 4700 and 4900 truck series from the same model year, both involving the instrument panel.
| 2019 Western Star 4700 | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2019 Western Star 4900 | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 361 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
An odometer that records the wrong distance can confuse the driver and lead to wrong assumptions about vehicle speed, which increases crash risk. Drive cautiously, watch posted speeds and surrounding traffic, and schedule the speedometer replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Western Star 4700 or 4900 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free speedometer replacement that corrects the odometer display.
- Bring the recall notice if Western Star has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V171 and Western Star recall FL-812 when you call.
- Track mileage carefully until the repair is complete, since the odometer can show kilometers as miles.
- Call Western Star customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or recall paperwork.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Western Star technician inspects the truck and replaces the speedometer if the odometer is displaying distance in kilometers while the display is labeled as miles. The recall repair is free, including the replacement part and labor. The new speedometer corrects the mismatch between the accumulated distance and the label on the display, so the driver sees the distance unit shown by the instrument panel.
Timeline
| March 5, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 29, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 3, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| May 3, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 3, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V171?
Recall 19V171 covers 361 2019 Western Star 4700 and 4900 trucks with an odometer labeling problem. The truck records distance in kilometers, but the odometer display is labeled as miles. Western Star dealers will replace the speedometer for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Western Star 4700 or 4900 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 19V171. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free speedometer replacement. Reference recall number 19V171 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 19V171, a franchised Western Star dealer will replace the speedometer free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is driver confusion from incorrect distance and speed assumptions. Because the odometer records kilometers while the display is labeled as miles, the driver can misread vehicle use or speed context, which increases crash risk. The fix is the free speedometer replacement.
When did owner notices start for this recall?
Owner notification for recall 19V171 began April 29, 2019. If you bought the truck used or never received a letter, the VIN check decides whether your specific 2019 Western Star 4700 or 4900 is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V171000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V171 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V171000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →