1988 Western Star Conventional
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Western Star › Conventional › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Western Star Conventional. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
8 recalls name the 1988 Western Star Conventional. Newest first.
These heavy trucks were equipped with exhaust mufflers without heat shielding.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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
Dealers will install muffler shields and, where necessary, grab handles.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Steering pull from the dragging brake can increase the potential for a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front hubs on the affected vehicles.
The aluminum rear spring shackle brackets have developed cracks which can lead to separation of the brackets from the frame rail.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The suspension can drop down on one side, causing a reduction of steering control which could result in an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the spring brackets.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Failure during use of the grab handles can cause auser to fall resulting in personal injury.
Remedy
Western star dealers will remove and destroy the recalled grab handles. New handles will be installed on these vehicles.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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
Replace the aluminum lever with an iron lever.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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
Reroute battery and air line hoses away from the rear transmission support spring.
Throttle return springs may fail during normal operation without prior warning.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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
Manufacturer will replace the throttle return springs.
Throttle return springs may fail during normal operation without prior warning.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If both springs fail, engine throttle may not return toidle position when throttle foot pedal IS released; this could result in a lossof vehicle control and a crash.
Remedy
Replace throttle return springs.
Every Western Star Conventional model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.