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1998 Western Star 4900

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
2Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

2Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19980
19990
20002
2001
Compare all 4900 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tires
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Tires complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2015
Tires

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD @30 MPH. THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND TORE UP THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, I HAVE THE MATE TO THE TIRE THAT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND IT IS DEFECTED TO. SO IT SEEMS AS IF THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTED. BOTH TIRES WERE BOUGHT AND PUT ON AT THE SAME TIME. KELLY GOODYEAR BALLOON TYPE STEER TIRES (ARMORST…

Read full complaint

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD @30 MPH. THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND TORE UP THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, I HAVE THE MATE TO THE TIRE THAT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND IT IS DEFECTED TO. SO IT SEEMS AS IF THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTED. BOTH TIRES WERE BOUGHT AND PUT ON AT THE SAME TIME. KELLY GOODYEAR BALLOON TYPE STEER TIRES (ARMORSTEEL)

NHTSA ODI #10765384

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2015
Tires

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD @30 MPH. THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND TORE UP THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, I HAVE THE MATE TO THE TIRE THAT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND IT IS DEFECTED TO. SO IT SEEMS AS IF THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTED. BOTH TIRES WERE BOUGHT AND PUT ON AT THE SAME TIME. KELLY GOODYEAR BALLOON TYPE STEER TIRES (ARMORST…

Read full complaint

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD @30 MPH. THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND TORE UP THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, I HAVE THE MATE TO THE TIRE THAT WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND IT IS DEFECTED TO. SO IT SEEMS AS IF THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTED. BOTH TIRES WERE BOUGHT AND PUT ON AT THE SAME TIME. KELLY GOODYEAR BALLOON TYPE STEER TIRES (ARMORSTEEL)

NHTSA ODI #10765383

Official recalls

2

03V112000 · Suspension:front:hub

Mar 21, 2003

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

01V387000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Dec 17, 2001

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3406E AND C-15 ENGINES, INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND STUD MOUNTING ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) TO THE ENGINE EXISTS. CHAFING CAN WEAR THROUGH THE BATTERY CABLE INSULATION TO ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE AND THE STUD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONTACT COULD PROVIDE A SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND THE BATTERY CABLES WILL BE REPLACED AND/OR RE-ROUTED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.