Vehicle recall 97V152000 · September 14, 1997
1997 Western Star Heritage
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with fontaine SL6FM229-8375 fixed fifth wheels.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with fontaine SL6FM229-8375 fixed fifth wheels. The fifth wheel mounting plate flanges in the front and rear can interfere with the normal articulation of the fifth wheel. This interference can lead to damage of the fifth wheel lock handle and/or the top plate.
- Consequence
- Damage of these components can lead to failure of the connection between the tractor and the semi-trailer allowing the semi-trailer to separate from the tractor increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fifth wheel mounting plates and repair any damaged fifth wheel components.
- Notes
- Owner notification began September 19,1997.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
- 97V152000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 14, 1997
- Filed by
- WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
- Owner notification
- September 19, 1997
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 14
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Trailer hitches › Fifth wheel assembly
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 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.