vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Sterling L-LINE: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

27,462 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior1100.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)1

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20051

2005: 1

Pattern summary

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10122008 · 2005-05-24 (May 24, 2005)

DT: STEERING BOX; THE NORTHEAST HAS A PROBLEM THERE ARE 3 TOWNS IN THIS COUNTY WHO HAD THESE SAME PROBLEMS. SALT FROM THE ROADS GOT INTO THE STEERING BOX, AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 27,462 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122008 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V126000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan

Reported: 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KYS 4735-43782-02 ENGINE COOLING FANS AND BUILT ON CATERPILLAR 3126, C7, MBE906, MBE926, OR CUMMINS ISC ENGINES, THE STEEL FAN INSERT ON THE COOLING FANS CAN CRACK.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V128000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)

ON CERTAIN CAR HAULERS EQUIPPED WITH MBE4000 ENGINES, THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE MAY WEAR A HOLE INTO THE FUEL LINE, CREATING A FUEL LEAK.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL LINE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
07V302000 · Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Check Valve

Reported: 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)

CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

NHTSA campaign record ↗