NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Sterling L-Line Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Sterling L-Line has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Sterling L-Line. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Sterling dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Sterling L-Line. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

FREIGHTLINER/ARVINMERITOR/SKF/FRONT AXLE HUBS

NHTSA #03V112000 · Suspension — Front — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported March 21, 2003 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 5,716 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-407 · Owners notified September 20, 2003 · Vehicles built August 1, 1998 – February 28, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-407.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FREIGHTLINER/TURN SIGNAL

NHTSA #00V397000 · Exterior Lighting — Turn Signal — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported November 29, 2000 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 671 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-275 · Owners notified April 3, 2001 · Vehicles built July 27, 1998 – August 24, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A LOSS OF THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A TURN SIGNAL FLASHER THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES THAT ALLOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO OVERRIDE THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS. IF THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED, THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER SENSES AN OVERLOAD CONDITION AND BECOMES DISABLED UNTIL ALL ELECTRIC LOADS ARE REMOVED.

Safety consequence

FOLLOWING DRIVERS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRUCK'S TURNING INTENTIONS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TURN SIGNAL FLASHER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES THAT ALLOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO OVERRIDE THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 3, 2001.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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FREIGHTLINER/TIE ROD CROSS TUBES

NHTSA #00V108000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2000 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 144 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-257 · Owners notified August 9, 2000 · Vehicles built March 5, 1998 – June 12, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE TIE ROD CROSS TUBES COULD FRACTURE DUE TO FATIGUE CAUSED BY A SYSTEM RESONANCE.

Safety consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE 1 1/2 INCH TIE ROD CROSS TUBES WITH A 1 3/4" TUBE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 9, 2000.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 10800-547-0712.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FREIGHTLINER/FUEL TANK STEPS

NHTSA #00V080000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 17, 2000 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 9,875 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign FL-254 · Owners notified November 2, 2001 · Vehicles built March 1, 1998 – March 16, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCK MODELS WITH 111", 113", AND 122" CABS. THE FUEL TANK STEPS CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS DUE TO EXCESSIVE OVERHANG.

Safety consequence

THE STEPS COULD FAIL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEP ASSEMBLY FOR OVERHANG AND ADD AN END SUPPORT OF THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK STEP, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2001. 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2001. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FREIGHTLINER/ENGINE STALL

NHTSA #99V181002 · Electrical System — Ignition — Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 1999 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 320 vehicles

Vehicles built December 22, 1998 – July 16, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES AND EATON AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSIONS. THE ENGINES CAN STALL BECAUSE OF SOFTWARE PROBLEMS.

Safety consequence

INCREASED STEERING EFFORT CAN OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THESE ENGINES WITH SOFTWARE CHANGES.

Notes

CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THIS RECALL.OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1999.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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Sterling L-Line. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Sterling L-Line.

Other Sterling L-Line model years

Check your 1998 Sterling L-Line VIN

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