# Western Star 4700 Used Price & Common Problems | Big Rig Risk

> Western Star 4700: used $42,500 to $179,900. Documented problems: variable geometry turbocharger and SCR / DEF system. What to inspect before you buy.

**Verdict:** insufficient-data

Documented failure points and real market prices for the Western Star 4700, sourced and dated.

**Observed used price:** $42,500–$179,900

**Documented failure risks:**
- EGR cooler (Detroit DD13 engine, a common 4700 spec): EGR cooler cracking on the Detroit engine family commonly spec'd in the Western Star 4700 lets coolant leak into the exhaust.
- variable geometry turbocharger: VGT actuator failure on the Detroit engine family causes oil leaks and black smoke under load.
- air ride suspension: Western Star air ride suspension requires more frequent adjustment than owners expect, with front air bags needing replacement by 200k-300k miles.
- SCR / DEF system: SCR system malfunctions on the Detroit engine family trigger derate mode when DEF injectors clog or NOx sensors fail.

## Sources
- [skylinerrepaircenter.com (failure evidence)](https://www.skylinerrepaircenter.com/blog/detroit-dd15-engine-known-issues-and-maintenance-tips) (accessed 2026-09-05)
- [skylinerrepaircenter.com (failure evidence)](https://www.skylinerrepaircenter.com/blog/western-star-49x-what-owners-say-about-reliability) (accessed 2026-09-05)
- [soarr.com dealer inventory (5 real listings)](https://www.soarr.com/for-sale/trucks/0/Western-Star/4700/all-for-sale) (accessed 2026-09-05)
- [NHTSA recall 17V810000 (EQUIPMENT)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsacampaignnumber=17V810000) — "Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2002-2017 Freightliner Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia and Coronado trucks and Western Star 4700, 4900, 5700, 5900 and 6900 trucks.  These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher.  Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product in..." (accessed 2026-09-11)
- [NHTSA recall 22V722000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsacampaignnumber=22V722000) — "Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Western Star 4700 and 2023 Western Star 4900, 49X, 6900, and Freightliner 114SD vehicles.  The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to crack and allowing the tie rods to separate." (accessed 2026-09-11)

_Last verified 2026-09-11. Source: Big Rig Risk — https://bigrigrisk.com/trucks/western-star-4700/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._