RoadVitals

2008 Sterling A-Line

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Apr 7, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
11
Latest Sep 16, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Sterling A-Line, most frequently naming the steering category. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 168 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

11 campaigns cover this model year

View all 11

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V478000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Sep 16, 2011
73,500 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 11, 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTERS MOUNTED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE BETWEEN ENGINE MOUNTED FUEL FILTER AND ENGINE BLOCK MAY DEVELOP A SUBSTANTIAL DIESEL FUEL LEAK.
The risk: THIS COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON OCTOBER 28, 2011. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number 11C-2View on NHTSA.gov
11V465000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Sep 8, 2011
4,444 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CASCADIA, CENTURY, COLUMBIA, CORONADO AND STERLING A-LINE VEHICLES BUILT WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.
The risk: IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ESC MODULE WITH THE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE VERSION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE MAILED ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 21, 2011. THE DATE FOR AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL REMEDY IS SUBJECT TO VALIDATION TESTING AND PARTS AVAILABILITY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-612View on NHTSA.gov
11V330000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Jun 21, 2011
48,170 units potentially affected
The defect: DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 FREIGHTLINER; CASCADIA, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, AND CORONADO, CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 STERLING; A-LINE AND L-LINE AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 WESTERN STAR CONSTELLATION VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 14, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2011, BUILT WITH DETROIT DIESEL 15 OR 16 ENGINES. THE BOLT ATTACHING A RUBBER ISOLATOR TO A SUPPORT BRACKET MAY BECOME LOOSE AND BACK OUT, POTENTIALLY CONTACTING AN UN-FUSED STARTER CABLE AND CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN AN UN-FUSED BATTERY CABLE AND CHASSIS GROUND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BOLT AND ISOLATOR AND REPAIR THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-609View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE07047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING

Opened Sep 14, 2007
Closed Nov 19, 2007

ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007, FREIGHTLINER FILED DEFECT REPORT 07V-530 WHICH OUTLINES A SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM TO NOTIFY THE AFFECTED OWNERS AND CORRECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLYLed to recall 07V530000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2008

THREE WEEKS AGO OUR COMPANY PURCHASED TWO STERLING BULLIETS FROM JENKINS DIESEL IN SPRINGFIELD MO WHEN OUR DRIVERS BROUGHT THE TRUCKS IN THEY STATED THE TRUCKS WERE HARD TO HANDLE, AS THESE WERE CAB AND CHASSIS UNITS THE DEALER SAID WHEN WE PUT THE BEDS ON THEY WOULD BE FINE. WE OUTFITTED A BED ON THE FIRST TRUCK AND MADE A TRIP (1900) MILES THESE TWO DRIVER'S WERE EXHAUSTED WHEN THEY RETURNED. THE TRUCK WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND HE PICKED THE TRUCK THAT DAY, THEY HAVE NOW HAD IT FOR TEN DAYS AND THE THERE RESPONSE IS WE HAVE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENT TO THE WAY IT HANDLES BUT NO NEAR ENOUGH. THESE TRUCKS ARE BRAND NEW ON THE MARKET. THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REFUND OUR MONEY , BUT AS AN INDIVIDUAL I THINK THESE TRUCKS NEED TO BE PULLED OFF THE MARKET UNTIL THE HANDLING PROBLEM CAN BE ADDRESSED IN THE PROPER MANNER. THE DEALER REFUNDING OUR MONEY AND SAYING THAT THE IMPROVEMENT IS MINIMAL MAKE ME THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE ACCIDENTS PILING UP. THANK YOU JOHN WEISER *TR

NHTSA ID
10223535
Incident
Mar 24, 2008
Mileage
1,900 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

WI21-008

EQUIPMENT

Warranty Information Letter announcing DTNA is adjusting the Standard Repair Times (SRTs) shown. The updated times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 5, 2021.

sbh00022

EQUIPMENT

Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued

sbh0006

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

sbh0006 Replacing Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Certification Labels

sp00004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

sp00004 Replacing Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Certification Labels

sp54008

EQUIPMENT; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

sp54008 2-Inch Gauge Quick Reference (Silver Star)

sp54009

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

sp54009 Sales Data Code to Radio Quick Reference

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Sterling A-Line by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014000—
2013000—
2012010—
2011010—
2010030—
2009050—
2008Viewing1111—
2007091—
2006081—
2005060—
2004060—
2003120—
2002020—
2001020—
2000020—
1999130—
1998030—
1997000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.