NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 Sterling L-Line Recalls & Complaints
The 2003 Sterling L-Line has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Sterling dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Sterling L-Line. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2003 Sterling L-Line owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 Sterling L-Line, describing incidents dated May 14, 2005.
Most-cited components
- Steering 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10122008 · Filed
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
SR-7 SPRING BRAKE VALVE ASSEMBLY/BENDIX/PARKER
NHTSA #07V302000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Check Valve · NHTSA notice
Reported July 16, 2007 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 75,000 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-504 · Owners notified January 11, 2008 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – July 3, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-504.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
FUEL LINE/CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE ROUTING
NHTSA #05V128000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice
Reported March 30, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 130 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-443 · Owners notified December 8, 2005 · Vehicles built October 20, 2003 – July 14, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN CAR HAULERS EQUIPPED WITH MBE4000 ENGINES, THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE MAY WEAR A HOLE INTO THE FUEL LINE, CREATING A FUEL LEAK.
Safety consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO.FL-443.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
ENGINE COOLING FAN/BORG WARNER
NHTSA #05V126000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice
Reported March 30, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 3,568 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-439 · Owners notified June 8, 2005 · Vehicles built January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-439.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Other Sterling L-Line model years
Check your 2003 Sterling L-Line VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Sterling L-Line at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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