RoadVitals

2001 Sterling L-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 Feb 17, 2009
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.
2
Latest Mar 30, 2005
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.
0
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 2001 Sterling L-Line, most frequently naming the body & structure and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Electrical150.0%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
05V126000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Mar 30, 2005
3,568 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The 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.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-439View on NHTSA.gov
03V112000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Mar 21, 2003
5,716 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
The risk: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER CORPORATIONManufacturer number FL-407View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 17, 2009

2001 STERLING LT9513 PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AND FUSE PANEL SUPPORTS BREAKING LOOSE RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 76 EAST BOUND APROX. 2 MILES FROM THE RT. 8 INTERCHANGE WHEN WE HIT A " POT HOLE " A LARGE SNAP SOUND FOLLOWED BUT THE LOSE OF MY HEAD LIGHTS AND HEATER. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND INSPECTED THE FUSE PANEL. THE PANEL HAD SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE AND ALONG WITH THAT THE SUPPORTS HOLDING THE DASH BOARD HAD ALSO BROKE. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED A FEW BUSINESSES THAT I DEAL WITH AND ASKED IF THEY EVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I CALLED 5 BUSINESSES THAT OWNED THE SAME MODEL TRUCK RANGING FROM 1999-2006 THEY ALSO HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE DASH BOARDS IN ALL 5 TRUCKS HAD BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THIS IS 2500 $ AND IF NOT FIXED CAN LEAVE A TRUCK WITH OUT POWER GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE ONLY THING THE TRUCKS HAVE IN COMMON IS THE MANUFACTURE AND THAT IS WHY I AM FILLING THIS COMPLAINT, OTHERS WILL FOLLOW NOW THAT THIS SEEMS MORE LIKE " BAD DESIGN" RATHER THEN LUCK. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259156
Incident
Feb 12, 2009
Mileage
136,817 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

sp54020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING

sp54020 Strobe and Beacon Lights

SSB-88-10

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

STERLING: AFTERMARKET HOOD WITH PIVOT BRACKET MOUNTING MODIFICATION CHANGES. *PE

SB-46-11

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

FREIGHTLINER: PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WITH A NEW PART. *RM

SB-49-13

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DAIMLER TRUCKS: THERE ARE NEW CGI BELLOWS, BECAUSE THE CURRENT ONES ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. *RM

SB-31-4

SUSPENSION

STERLING TRUCK: AIRLINER SUSPENSION SIX PIECE BOLTED SERVICE CROSSMEMBER. SIX PIECE BOLTED SERVICE CROSS MEMBERS ARE AN IMPROVED, MORE DURABLE SERVICE REPLACEMENT FOR FIVE PIECE WELDED CROSS MEMBERS, OR BOLTED FIVE PIECE SERVICE CROSS MEMBERS, TO BE USED WITH STEEL FRAME RAILS. L LINE, A LINE, AND ACTERRA. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED 4/4/11. MODEL S2. NO MODEL YEAR. *PE

SB-09-8

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

STERLING TRUCK: CHARGE AIR COOLER TUBE AND CONVOLUTED HOSE REPLACEMENT. HOSES MAY HAVE A REDUCED SERVICE LIFE DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THE CHARGE AIR COOLER (CAC) INLET AND OUTLET AIR PIPING. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE

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 L-Line by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010020—
2009150—
20080111—
2007384—
2006092—
2005181—
2004080—
2003130—
2002020—
2001Viewing120—
2000030—
1999050—
1998050—
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.