1989 Western Star Conventional: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1989 Western Star Conventional. The newest campaign is 96V022000. NHTSA received the report on 5 Jan 1996. The NHTSA record gives the component Engine and Engine Cooling / Exhaust System / Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe. NHTSA has no complaint on file for this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 96V022000, in the NHTSA record

Dealers will install muffler shields and, where necessary, grab handles.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

8 campaigns, newest first. 18,234 units in total.

96V0220005 Jan 1996Engine and Engine Cooling / Exhaust System / Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
95V03400022 Feb 1995Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Drum
94V2210009 Nov 1994Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs
93V2070007 Dec 1993Structure
92V1430008 Oct 1992Power Train / Clutch Assembly / Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
90V2000006 Dec 1990Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables
89V23300022 Dec 1989Vehicle Speed Control / Springs
89V1650004 Oct 1989Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage

96V022000Received 5 Jan 1996. 21 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Exhaust System / Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Defect, in the NHTSA record
These heavy trucks were equipped with exhaust mufflers without heat shielding.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Someone working behind the cab could contact the hot muffler causing personal injury. Also some of these vehicles were equipped with deck plates with no grab handles for access.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install muffler shields and, where necessary, grab handles.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 27 Feb 1996.
95V034000Received 22 Feb 1995. 48 units.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Drum
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The brake return springs on the front brakes can contact the front hubs as the brake pads and drums wear, resulting in spring failure. A piece of the failed spring can lodge in the brake cam causing the brake to drag and the steering to pull to one side.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Steering pull from the dragging brake can increase the potential for a vehicle crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the front hubs on the affected vehicles.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Jul 1995.
94V221000Received 9 Nov 1994. 1,690 units.
Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The aluminum rear spring shackle brackets have developed cracks which can lead to separation of the brackets from the frame rail.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The suspension can drop down on one side, causing a reduction of steering control which could result in an accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the spring brackets.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Dec 1994.
93V207000Received 7 Dec 1993. 5,304 units.
Structure
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The cab access grab handles have thinner than specified wall thickness and are susceptible to fatigue failure breaking at the bend radius near the upper mounting bolt hole.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Failure during use of the grab handles can cause auser to fall resulting in personal injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Western star dealers will remove and destroy the recalled grab handles. New handles will be installed on these vehicles.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 31 Jan 1994.
92V143000Received 8 Oct 1992. 10,893 units.
Power Train / Clutch Assembly / Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Premature failure of the aluminum clutch release lever can occur from stress corrosion due to continuous loading of the lever and exposure to road salt spray.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the failure occurs during vehicle operation, theclutch is rendered inoperative and the vehicle operator cannot control thevehicle speed by up-shifting or down-shifting, which may result in loss ofvehicle control.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Replace the aluminum lever with an iron lever.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 4 Jan 1993.
90V200000Received 6 Dec 1990. 196 units.
Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery / Cables
Defect, in the NHTSA record
When brake air lines and battery electrical cables are routed through the angle brackets on the frame rails, the leaf spring may rub against the battery cables or air lines, causing fraying and eventually rupture.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the battery cables are sufficiently frayed, the cablesmay cause a short circuit and result in a fire. If the brake air lines areruptured or punctured, severely decreased braking ability may ensue.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Reroute battery and air line hoses away from the rear transmission support spring.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC..
89V233000Received 22 Dec 1989. 75 units.
Vehicle Speed Control / Springs
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Throttle return springs may fail during normal operation without prior warning.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If both throttle return springs fail the engine throttlenat not return to the idle postion when the throttle pedal is released. This mayresult in loss of vehicle control, and could cause an accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Manufacturer will replace the throttle return springs.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Nov 1990.
89V165000Received 4 Oct 1989. 7 units.
Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Seat belts designed for use on driver's seats were installed on passenger seats; this causes the strap connecting the buckle to the floor to be twisted.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Stresses within the buckle result in failure to complywith FMVSS 210.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Replace seat belt assemblies.
Report filed by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC..

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigations

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

Follow by RSS:Western Star recallsVehicle recalls

Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 1989 Western Star ConventionalThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1989 Western Star Conventional: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/western-star/conventional/1989/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1989 Western Star Conventional?: 18,234 units in 8 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Western Star Conventional have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for the Western Star Conventional, model years 1983 to 1999. 8 of them name the 1989 model year.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1989 Western Star Conventional open?: The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.