Which models are affected by the expanded recall?

The expanded recall affects nearly 27,000 Western Star 47X and 49X models.

What defect is causing the need for a recall?

The recall is due to a defect in the battery junction stud which presents a fire risk.

What company is handling the recall?

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is handling the recall of the affected Western Star models.

What prompted the recall expansion?

The expansion of the recall was prompted by reports of corrosion and thermal events, suggesting the previous repair efforts were insufficient.

Western Star Expands Recall After Previous Battery Fix Fails to Prevent Fire Risk

After reports of corrosion and thermal events on trucks already repaired under a prior campaign, DTNA is recalling nearly 27,000 Western Star 47X and 49X models to address a battery junction stud defect.

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February 17, 2026

Western Star Expands Recall After Previous Battery Fix Fails to Prevent Fire Risk — Daimler Truck North America is recalling Western Star Trucks for a potential fire issue, including ones that already had a recall remedy last year.
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Nearly 27,000 Western Star trucks are being recalled for a problem with a battery connection that could start a fire.

Daimler Truck North America is recalling certain 2020-2027 Western Star 49X and 2021-2027 Western Star 47X trucks. A stud connecting the battery to the starter at the frame rail may have been incorrectly installed or may corrode, which can cause a short circuit and lead to a "thermal event," such as a fire.

Although there are 26,958 potentially involved, DTNA estimates that only about 1% actually have the defect.

DTNA went through a recall last year for this problem, but the remedy was not effective.

Signs that the truck may have this problem include:

A slow or no crank when starting the vehicle
Corrosion present around the stud and/or cable lug.

Trucks Subject to the Recall

The recall includes:
Certain model year 2021-2027 Western Star 47X and model year 2020 -2027 Western Star 49X trucks and tractors produced from start of production to February 3, 2026.
Certain model year 2026–2027 Western Star 47X and 49X vehicles produced between May 14, 2025, and February 3, 2026, that were manufactured using a revised manufacturing and inspection process that was designed to remedy the problem.

In both cases, this recall is limited to vehicles manufactured with a particular positive junction point stud that connects the battery and/or auxiliary power distribution to the starter at the frame rail.

A Melted Frame Rail and More Reports

DTNA discovered the safety-related defect last May and determined that in vehicles in the affected population, a positive junction point stud that connects the battery and/or auxiliary power distribution to the starter at the frame rail may have been installed incorrectly.

The remedy it devised involved revisions to the stud torque, consistent application of dielectric paint, and additional points of inspection of the cable lug orientation. The remedy was also implemented as an update in new vehicle production as of late May 2025.

As of late January 2026, DTNA had remedied just over 17,000 vehicles.

However, in early January 2026, DTNA received a report of a thermal event on a vehicle registered in New York that had the recall remedy.

According to that report, corrosion resulted in an arced cable that melted the vehicle’s frame rail.

Several more reports came in about corrosion at the junction point stud on vehicles that had the recall remedy performed, one that involved a thermal event and two that indicated the presence of smoke.

DTNA also reviewed warranty claims and identified more vehicles where the junction point stud failed after the remedy was performed, involving the presence of corrosion, but without any thermal events.

The Role of Winter Weather in the Western Star Recall

The warranty information indicated a number of these vehicles were registered in states that were experiencing winter weather at the time, which can accelerate the presence of corrosion.

DTNA’s warranty review also uncovered failures on vehicles that are not part of the prior recall because they were manufactured after the issue was corrected in production, all of which report the presence of corrosion but no thermal events. DTNA also inspected vehicles at the manufacturing facility.

It all pointed to a problem: The junction point stud remained susceptible to accelerated corrosion.

Because the reports were concentrated along the “salt belt” states and Canada, the problem with the recall remedy didn't show up until the winter weather led to the bolts being exposed to corrosive salts and de-icers.

So on February 4, DTNA decided to conduct a recall to address all vehicles that were affected by the prior recall as well as those produced with the prior revised manufacturing and inspection process.

DTNA is aware of approximately 52 warranty claims and 18 field reports dated between March 2023 through January 2026 potentially related to this issue. There are no reports of injuries or fatalities.

Looking for a New Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 11, 2026. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is F1029.

This recall replaces and expands NHTSA recall number 25V326. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Quick Answers

Western Star is expanding the recall due to reports of corrosion and thermal events in trucks that were previously repaired, indicating that the initial fix was inadequate.