Your Truck Might Be a FIRE HAZARD!
Daimler Truck is recalling over 21,000 Western Star trucks after multiple battery-related fires exposed a dangerous defect the company initially dismissed as too rare to act on.
At a Glance
Daimler Truck North America is recalling 21,560 Western Star 47X and 49X trucks
A faulty battery junction stud may trigger electrical short circuits and fires
Five fire-related incidents occurred between March 2023 and March 2024
Daimler initially declined action in August 2024 but reversed in May 2025
Drivers are urged to watch for slow starts or visible battery corrosion
Fire Hazard on Wheels
Western Star trucks, widely used for heavy-duty transport across North America, are now the subject of a sweeping recall due to defective battery installations. The issue centers on a poorly installed positive junction point stud—an essential electrical component that, if misaligned, can short circuit and cause a fire.
The recall affects 47X and 49X model trucks manufactured between 2020 and 2026. While Daimler estimates just 1% of the 21,560 vehicles may be impacted, the potential for spontaneous combustion has prompted regulatory scrutiny and industry alarm. Initial reports include five fire-related incidents and multiple melted battery cables.
Watch a report: Western Star Recall: What Truck Owners Need to Know.
What’s especially troubling is that Daimler was aware of potential risks as early as August 2024. At that time, despite having several complaints and field reports, the company opted against action, citing what it called “sufficient detectability” and a “low rate of frequency.” It wasn’t until an influx of warranty claims and additional fire reports that Daimler acknowledged the problem and launched the recall on May 12, 2025.
Drivers in the Hot Seat
Owners of affected trucks are being urged to remain vigilant. The most common red flags include sluggish engine cranking or failure to start, along with visible corrosion around battery terminals. According to the official NHTSA report, corrosion or discoloration near the battery stud could indicate an imminent electrical failure.
The recall, labeled NHTSA number 25V326 and Daimler’s internal ID F1020, covers a wide production window—raising concerns about how long drivers may have unknowingly been at risk. Truckers operating these models are advised to contact Daimler Truck’s customer support at 800-547-0712 to arrange for free inspections and repairs at authorized service centers.
To prevent future incidents, Daimler says it has updated its production procedures and added extra inspections to confirm proper cable orientation. While the company stresses that no injuries have occurred to date, critics argue that waiting for multiple fires before acting shows a troubling pattern of risk tolerance in the heavy vehicle industry.
Safety Oversights and Accountability
The Western Star recall has sparked broader questions about how manufacturers assess risk and decide when to act. Daimler’s initial delay, followed by a reversal only after dozens of reports accumulated, illustrates a recurring issue in corporate risk management—one where documented problems are often downplayed until regulatory or reputational pressure forces action.
As these trucks haul critical loads across highways daily, even a 1% risk can have enormous consequences. Safety advocates are calling for stricter oversight and quicker response protocols to prevent similar failures in the future.
For now, affected owners must weigh the inconvenience of a recall against the life-threatening risk of a fire—one that might start with nothing more than turning a key.