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#BS-2009-WES490-5BA42009 Western Star 4900
Based on reports from 1 owners and 16 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Green Light
Based on 1 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 16 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
1 owners reported visibility issues — failures commonly reported around 200K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Visibility (1 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2009 Western Star 4900: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Visibility Issues
Visibility complaints account for 100% of all reports filed for the 2009 Western Star 4900, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 200,110 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 200K-mile mark.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.



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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (16 recalls)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 53 MY 2009-2010 WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS BUILT WITH DD15 ENGINES. A NEW FORWARD CAB CROSSMEMBER DESIGN REDUCED CLEARANCE FOR CAB MOUNTED BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH POWER CABLES ON STANDARD CAB HEIGHT VEHICLES. DURING CAB ARTICULATION THE NEW CROSSMEMBER MAY PINCH POWER CABLES AGAINST THE CAB.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 5, 2008 AND JANUARY 7, 2009, EQUIPPED DD15 ENGINES AND WITH BOSCH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS. THE FASTENERS ON THESE FUEL PUMPS COULD BE UNDER-TORQUED ALLOWING THE "O" RING BETWEEN THE PUMP HOUSING AND THE BARREL TO PROTRUDE AND LEAK.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS AND VIBRATION COMBINED WITH HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL DD15 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED INTERNAL GRID HEATER RESISTANCE CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS MAY MELT THE SOLDER ON THE GRID HEATER CIRCUIT BOARD LEADING TO A SHORT CIRCUIT.
+ 11 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 16 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Western Star 4900 Model Years
2009 Western Star 4900: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Western Star 4900?
Is the 2009 Western Star 4900 reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2009 Western Star 4900 problems?
Does the 2009 Western Star 4900 have any recalls?
What mileage do Western Star 4900 problems start?
What’s in the full report?
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 1 owner reports. Know before you buy.