1996 Western Star Constellation
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Western Star › Constellation › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Western Star Constellation. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Western Star Constellation. Newest first.
Vehicle description: conventional trucks and truck/tractors equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot. Insufficient clearance between the top of the steering shaft and the top of the opening in the adapter plate can cause the steering shaft to contact the top of the firewall adapter opening wearing a groove in the steering shaft.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the steering shaft fails, steering control will be lost increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the firewall adapter plate on the affected vehicles.
The brake return spring can contact the hub. further wear of the brake lining material will lead to wear of the return spring and the spring can fail prematurely.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Pieces of the failed spring could then lodge in the brake cam causing either the affected brake to stay applied when the other brakes have been released, or stopping the affected brake from applying when the other brakes are applied. the vehicle could then be pulled in a lateral direction off the road or into oncoming traffic increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will modify the front brakes on these trucks.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering columns
These vehicles were equipped with a firewall adapter plate for the steering shaft boot with an insufficient clearance between the steering shaft and the top opening in the adapter plate.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10044353Western star: around the diesel exhaust fluid (def) an excessive amount of crystal or powder built up indicates a leak caused by evaporation of def exposed to air and/or dampness.
- 10043820Western star: lubricate wheel bearings, rear drive axles.
- 10039624Western star trucks: the procedure to replace the power steering pump with a different version pump.
- 10039623Western star trucks: information on wheel bearing lubrication in the rear axle.
- 10039622Western star trucks: instructions to remove, inspect, and reseal the lower pinion cover on the rear axles.
- 10039621Western star trucks: the rear suspension air-spring assembly has been redesigned.
- 10038246Western star trucks: there are new cgi bellows due to current ones that are prone to failure.
- 10036725Western star: epa07 exhaust bellows replacement. If a failed exhaust bellows on an epa07 engine installation, replace it with a new style bellows, and two new matching clamps. No model years listed. Updated on 6/14/2011. Updated 4/20/12.
- 10033172Western star: trw tas85 steering gear internal leakage test. Some trw tas85 steering gears have been equipped with an internal relief valve. These steering gears are typically installed with power steering pumps that have a pressure relief rating greater than 2175 psi (150 bar). The internal relief valve limits maximum supply pressure to protect the steering gear. No model years listed.
- 10031844Western star truck: 5 piece back of cab service crossmember. 5 piece bolted service crossmembers are an improved, more durable service replacement for the tubular back of cab crossmembers. Follow steps to replace a tubular back of cab crossmember, with a 5 piece service crossmember.
- 10028724Western star: some barksdale height control valves have been returned for warranty because four bolts in the valve housing were overtightened, often, enough to crack valve housing. Model years unknown.
- 46412Between july 21, 1993 and september 20, 1995 the manufacturer of the 26 inch diameter fuel tank straps built the parts outside the print specifications in that the location of the step bracket was incorrect. This does not in any way compromise the integrity or performance of the strap nor the step but does require that if a strap IS replaced, that it be replaced with one with a matching step bracket location.
- 40030New red dot constant temperature control analyzer.
- 39335Some trucks may have been built using incorrect top rubber on the rear engine mount. The manufacture period was january 3, 1995 through january 10, 1995.
Every Western Star Constellation model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.