Hearth Record

Steering: linkages: drag: power assist system (Western Star)

Vehicle recall 04V-120. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER LLC’s report on Mar 8, 2004.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER LLC’s report on Mar 8, 2004. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE BALL SOCKET SEPARATING AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR A CRASH.

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH TRW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES, THE REPLACEMENT CLAMP AND DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE 5/8-11-GRADE B PREVAILING TORQUE HEX NUT.

IF THE FINAL TIGHTENING IS LESS THAN 65 LB.-FT., THE CLAMP LOAD WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLY LOW AND COULD COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DRAG LINK.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages: drag: power assist system.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED HEX NUT(S). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. 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 FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL422.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 275 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Western Star 4900SAand 2003 and 2004, before the model years listed here
  • Western Star 4900EXand 2003 and 2004, before the model years listed here
  • Western Star 4900FAand 2003 and 2004, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FREIGHTLINER LLC.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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