RecallMyCar

1988 Western Star Conventional Recalls, Complaints & Specs

8 safety recalls list the 1988 Western Star Conventional. Check your own VIN below.

8
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

8 safety recalls for the 1988 Western Star Conventional

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 96V022000 Reported 21 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    These heavy trucks were equipped with exhaust mufflers without heat shielding.

    Remedy: Dealers will install muffler shields and, where necessary, grab handles.

  2. Drum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 95V034000 Reported 48 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front hubs on the affected vehicles.

  3. Coil springs (suspension)

    NHTSA 94V221000 Reported 1,690 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    The aluminum rear spring shackle brackets have developed cracks which can lead to separation of the brackets from the frame rail.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the spring brackets.

  4. Structure

    NHTSA 93V207000 Reported 5,304 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Western star dealers will remove and destroy the recalled grab handles. New handles will be installed on these vehicles.

  5. Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) (power train)

    NHTSA 92V143000 Reported 10,893 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Replace the aluminum lever with an iron lever.

  6. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 90V200000 Reported 196 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Reroute battery and air line hoses away from the rear transmission support spring.

  7. Springs (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 89V233000 Reported 75 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    Throttle return springs may fail during normal operation without prior warning.

    Remedy: Manufacturer will replace the throttle return springs.

  8. Springs (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 88V023000 Reported 303 vehicles potentially affected WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.

    Throttle return springs may fail during normal operation without prior warning.

    Remedy: Replace throttle return springs.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1988 Western Star Conventional. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Western Star Conventional model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Western Star Conventional model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1983 Western Star Conventional10
1984 Western Star Conventional10
1985 Western Star Conventional20
1986 Western Star Conventional30
1987 Western Star Conventional70
1988 Western Star Conventional80
1989 Western Star Conventional80
1990 Western Star Conventional70
1991 Western Star Conventional50
1992 Western Star Conventional40
1993 Western Star Conventional20
1994 Western Star Conventional40
1995 Western Star Conventional40
1996 Western Star Conventional31
1999 Western Star Conventional02

Checking a specific 1988 Western Star Conventional

How do I know if my 1988 Western Star Conventional has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 8 campaigns currently list the 1988 Western Star Conventional; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Western Star dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 88V023000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Western Star models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.