Recall 21V206 covers 5,111 2019-2021 Western Star 5700 and 4700 trucks for undersized ground-harness wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
Western Star is recalling 5,111 2019-2021 5700 and 4700 trucks because undersized ground harness wiring can overheat and melt a connector. Damage to that harness can stall the engine and increase crash risk; Western Star dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The ground harness on 2019-2021 Western Star 4700 and 5700 trucks is part of the electrical return path. It gives control modules a stable ground connection so the engine, after-treatment system, and transmission controls can communicate and keep running. On these trucks, the issue centers on the ACM control harness and DT12 control harness wiring.
On included trucks with harness family part number A66-13193, wiring in that ground path is undersized. The smaller wire carries more electrical load than it was designed to handle. That extra heat can melt a connector, break the ground connection, and lead to engine derate or engine shutdown.
Drivers can see dash warning lights, engine derate, or an engine shutdown timer before the truck shuts down. Treat those as warning signs and give the dealer the exact warning message, when it appeared, and whether the truck lost power afterward.
Who's affected?
Spans the 4700 and 5700 truck lines across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, with wiring listed as the recalled component.
| 2021 Western Star 5700 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2021 Western Star 4700 | wiring |
| 2020 Western Star 5700 | wiring |
| 2020 Western Star 4700 | wiring |
| 2019 Western Star 5700 | wiring |
| 2019 Western Star 4700 | wiring |
| Units affected | 5,111 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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 damaged ground harness can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Warning lights, reduced engine power, or an engine shutdown timer are signs to pull over when safe and call the dealer. Schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Western Star dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Western Star 5700 or 4700 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the free ground-harness replacement that fixes the undersized wiring and melted-connector risk.
- Bring the recall notice if one arrived. If not, reference recall number 21V206 when you call.
- Call Western Star customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and move out of traffic safely if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Western Star technician replaces the ground harness covered by this recall. The issue is undersized ground harness wiring that can overheat the connector and melt it, so the repair focuses on replacing that harness with the correct part. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, and the dealer performs the harness replacement at no charge. The source record does not give a separate reimbursement process for prior repairs.
Timeline
| March 24, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 22, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 22, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 22, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 16, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V206?
Recall 21V206 covers 5,111 2019-2021 Western Star 5700 and 4700 trucks with ground harness wiring that can overheat and melt a connector. Damage to that harness can cause an engine stall and increase crash risk. Western Star dealers will replace the ground harness for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Western Star 5700 or 4700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V206. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer to schedule the ground harness replacement. Reference recall number 21V206 or DTNA recall number FL-880 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and DTNA says dealers will replace the ground harness free of charge. Use a franchised Western Star dealer for the recall work.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine stall. If the ground harness is damaged after a connector melts, the engine can stall while the truck is in use, increasing the risk of a crash. The free dealer repair replaces the ground harness.
What if I bought my Western Star truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2019-2021 Western Star 5700 or 4700 is included, then call a franchised Western Star dealer with recall number 21V206.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V206000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V206 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V206000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →