Recall 26V079 covers 26,959 2020-2027 Western Star 47X and 49X trucks for a battery-stud short-circuit fire risk. Free repair once Western Star opens it.
Western Star is recalling 26,959 2020-2027 47X and 49X trucks because a battery-to-starter stud at the frame rail was installed incorrectly or can corrode, causing a short circuit. A short circuit increases the risk of a fire, and the dealer repair will be free once Western Star opens the final remedy.
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What's wrong?
On affected 2020-2027 Western Star 47X and 49X trucks, the positive junction point stud is the connection point that carries battery or auxiliary electrical power to the starter at the frame rail. Think of it as a high-current post that lets the battery cable feed the starter when the driver turns the key or presses the start button. That connection has to stay tight, clean, and protected from moisture.
In these trucks, the stud was installed incorrectly or is exposed to corrosion. Corrosion adds resistance at the cable connection, and a loose or damaged contact point creates heat. The cable connection can arc, melt nearby material, and create a short circuit instead of sending power cleanly to the starter.
Drivers can notice a slow crank or no crank when trying to start the truck. A driver or technician can also see corrosion around the stud or the cable lug, which is the metal end of the battery cable attached to the stud.
Who's affected?
Spans the 47X and 49X across the 2020-2027 model years, all tied to the same battery stud.
| 2026 Western Star 47X | battery |
|---|---|
| 2021 Western Star 47X | battery |
| 2022 Western Star 47X | battery |
| 2023 Western Star 47X | battery |
| 2024 Western Star 47X | battery |
| 2025 Western Star 47X | battery |
| 2027 Western Star 47X | battery |
| 2020 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2021 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2022 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2023 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2024 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2025 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2026 Western Star 49X | battery |
| 2027 Western Star 49X | battery |
| Units affected | 26,959 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA 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 truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A short circuit increases the risk of a fire. Watch for slow cranking, no crank, or visible corrosion around the stud or cable lug, and call a Western Star dealer if you see those signs. Repair will be free at any franchised Western Star dealer once Western Star opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2027 Western Star 47X or 49X is included in this recall.
- Watch for the final Western Star repair letter before scheduling the dealer repair.
- Call Western Star customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions and reference recall number 26V079 and Western Star recall F1029.
- Contact a franchised Western Star dealer once the final remedy opens for the free battery-to-starter stud repair that addresses the short circuit fire risk.
- Tell the dealer if the truck was repaired under recall 25V326, because vehicles repaired under that recall still need the new remedy.
What happens at the repair
Until the final dealer repair opens, the recall remains in an interim stage. Once available, a Western Star technician will repair the studs that connect the battery to the starter at the frame rail. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. Vehicles already repaired under the earlier recall still need the new remedy completed when it is available. If you already paid for a related stud repair before the recall notice, use the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan and submit documentation for review through Western Star service or DTNA customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 11, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 3, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 10, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V079?
Recall 26V079 covers 26,959 2020-2027 Western Star 47X and 49X vehicles with a battery-to-starter stud at the frame rail that was installed incorrectly or has corrosion risk. That defect can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
What should I do if my 2020-2027 Western Star 47X or 49X is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included in recall 26V079. If it is, contact a franchised Western Star dealer or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 for interim guidance and final remedy timing. Reference DTNA recall F1029 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Western Star dealers will repair the affected battery-to-starter studs for free once the final remedy is available.
Is it safe to drive my Western Star 47X or 49X before the repair?
The listed risk is a short circuit that increases the risk of a fire. This recall does not carry a do-not-drive instruction, but the defect is still safety related. Confirm your VIN, follow dealer guidance, and ask DTNA or the dealer what to do if the truck shows electrical or battery concerns.
What if my truck was repaired under recall 25V326?
Your truck still needs attention if its VIN is included in recall 26V079. DTNA says this recall replaces and expands recall 25V326, and vehicles already repaired under the earlier recall need the new remedy completed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V079000 |
|---|---|
| Western Star customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V079 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V079000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →