1978 Western RS Series Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1978 Western RS Series. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1978 Western RS Series
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Leaf spring assembly (suspension)
Spring seat can deform, which causes a decrease in the clamping force in the suspension assembly. Loss of clamping force may bring about axle misalignment or axle housing failure.
Remedy: The axle housing will be inspected and replaced, if necessary. The spring seats will also be replaced.
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Springs (suspension)
Inadequate weld positioning coupled with radius rod load and loosening of the spring clip nuts could cause spring seat fracture. This can result in loss of directional control of the axle.
Remedy: Spring seat radius rod brackets will be inspected and replaced if necessary. In addition, supplemental brackets will be installed to reinforce the spring seat, without charge.
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Coil springs (suspension)
The involved vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 204, "steering control rearward displacement". The aluminum front spring rear bracket is subject to breakage. This bracket, along with the taper leaf front springs, attaches the spring shackle to the chassis frame.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the present aluminum front spring rear bracket with a redesigned spring bracket containing a reinforcing rib.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 Western RS Series. 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 RS Series model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Western RS Series model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 Western RS Series | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Western RS Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1979 Western RS Series | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 Western RS Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1981 Western RS Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 Western RS Series | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 Western RS Series | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Western RS Series | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1978 Western RS Series
How do I know if my 1978 Western RS Series 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1978 Western RS Series; 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 dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 79V275000).
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 models
- Alpine Coach42 complaints
- Alpine20 complaints
- Alpenlite19 complaints
- Apex8 complaints
- Avalanche1 complaints
- Western1 complaints
- Aspen0 complaints
- Dreamer0 complaints
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.