Vehicle recall 97V151000 · September 14, 1997
Western Star Constellation and Heritage
Vehicle description: heavy duty 6X4 trucks equipped with either hendrickson rt/rs series suspensions or chalmers 800 series suspensions, with a wheel base greater than 250…
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: heavy duty 6X4 trucks equipped with either hendrickson rt/rs series suspensions or chalmers 800 series suspensions, with a wheel base greater than 250 inches, and western star's air '96' air brake system without anti-lock brakes. These vehicles do not meet the air brake release time required by FMVSS no. 121, "air brake systems."
- Consequence
- Air brake release time may be longer than anticipated by the operator increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an in-line quick release valve in each of the drop lines to the rear most brake chambers.
- Notes
- Owner notification is expected to begin October 10, 1997.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 western star at 1-250-860-3319. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 97V151000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 14, 1997
- Filed by
- WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
- Owner notification
- October 10, 1997
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 40
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Service brakes, air › Supply › Low pressure warning › Switch
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Western Star Constellation (1997): 1997
- Western Star Heritage (1997): 1997
Has your Western Star been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Western Star dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.