How many recalls does the 1996 Western Star Conventional have?

The 1996 Western Star Conventional has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1996 Western Star Conventional has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1996 Western Star Conventional?

Of 1 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is power train.

1996 Western Star Conventional Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1996 Western Star Conventional has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 373 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 96V124003 1996-08-01 36 affected

Defect

THE EQUALIZING BEAM SHAFT OF THE TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION WERE MANUFACTURED FROM AS-ROLLED SAE4140 STEEL RATHER THAN THE SPECIFIED ANNEALED SAE4140. THESE SHAFTS CAN FRACTURE INSIDE THE BEAM AT THE TOE OF THE WELD.

Consequence

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE TILT AND POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IN THE EVENT THAT BOTH EQUALIZING BEAMS, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCE A SIMULTANEOUS SHAFT FAILURE. AFFECTED SUSPENSIONS CAN ALSO DROP AND CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE GENERATING SPARKS WHICH COULD IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.

Remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL SUSPENSION SUSPENSION BEAMS WITH SUSPENSION BEAMS CONTAINING APPROPRIATE SHAFTS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 96V100000 1996-06-17 325 affected

Defect

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CAN INTERFERE WITH THE MAIN CAB DASH HARNESS WHICH PASSES BEHIND THE CENTER DASH SECTION. THE WIPER ARM CAN WEAR THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF THE WIRES IN THE HARNESS AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

IN ELECTRONIC ENGINES (CATERPILLAR ONLY) OR DDA ENGINES, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP. IF THE ENGINE WERE TO STOP SUDDENLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND MANEUVERING THROUGH TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD BE A POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE MAIN CAB WIRING HARNESS ROUTING.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 96V053000 1996-03-27 12 affected

Defect

THESE TRUCKS WERE NOT BUILT WITH INVERSION VALVES DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR. THE INVERSION VALVE PROVIDES MODULATED SPRING BRAKE APPLICATION DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING WHEN THE "A" PORTION OF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED.

Consequence

IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INVERSION VALVE IN THESE VEHICLES.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Total complaints1

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Rear drive axle caught fire. (ohio traffic crash report).”

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY · reported 1998-12-04

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Western Star Conventional as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.