2008 STERLING A-LINE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1
Owner Complaint
11
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 STERLING A-LINE
The 2008 STERLING A-LINE has received a total of 1 safety complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by FREIGHTLINER LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problem area is the Steering (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE, potentially affecting up to 284,952 vehicles.
Recall 11V465000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
| 4,444 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Recall 11V478000 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
| 73,500 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Recall 11V330000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 48,170 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN AN UN-FUSED BATTERY CABLE AND CHASSIS GROUND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
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.
View full details →Recall 09V366000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 25,362 vehicles affected
Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR C15 ENGINE. THE VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION OIL LINE MAY RUB AGAINST THE P-CLIPS RETAINING THE OIL LINE, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK.
Consequence: AN OIL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR TO REMEDY THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE SEE CATERPILLAR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-020. CATERPILLAR WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR TOLL-FREE AT...
View full details →Recall 09V087000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
| 14 vehicles affected
Defect: CATERPILLAR IS RECALLING 14 MY 2008-2009 STERLING A-LINE & L-LINE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINE. THE AFTERTREATMENT REGENERATION DEVICE (ARD) MAY DEVELOP A HOLE AND HEAT AND FLAME MAY ESCAPE DURING A REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULAR FILTER.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS WORKING WITH CATERPILLAR (PLEASE SEE 08E-069). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CATERPILLAR AT-1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 07V592000 — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
| 220 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE RACK-PISTON TEETH, RESULTING IN A STICK OR BIND CONDITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE STEERING GEAR TO STALL AND RESTRICT THE STEERING TURNING ANGLE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FREIGHTLINER IS WORKING WITH TRW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR (PLEASE SEE 07E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 07V302000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
| 75,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 07V530000 — TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
| 38,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCK-TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND SIMPLEX SE OR SE II FIFTH WHEELS, THE LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED WHICH COULD DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE. CORROSION OR CONTAMINATES IN THE PIVOT MAY CAUSE IT TO BIND AND PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL JAW FROM LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.
Consequence: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THE OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 07V306000 — STEERING
| 18,000 vehicles affected
Defect: FREIGHTLINER IS RECALLING CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, VAN CHASSIS, RV MOTORHOME CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5 TO MAY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY (AAC) FRONT AXLES. DURING THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY, THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER TIGHTENED.
Consequence: INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: THOMAS BUILT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT THE FASTENERS, AND REPLACE THE STEERING ARM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 07V316000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 1,200 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TUFTRAC REAR SUSPENSIONS, THE CENTER CASTING BRACKETS MAY BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION. AN OUT OF SQUARE CASTING MAY HAVE UNACCEPTABLE STRESS IN THE BRACKET WHEN IT IS INSTALLED AND MAY CAUSE IT TO CRACK IN SERVICE.
Consequence: THE DRIVE AXLE MAY NOT BE HELD IN POSITION IF A CRACKED BRACKET FRACTURES COMPLETELY. THIS WILL AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND CASTINGS THAT ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
View full details →Recall 07V333000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 1,042 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH AXILOK REAR WHEEL SPINDLE NUTS, THE NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, WITH ONE OR BOTH LOCKING CLIP TABS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED OR DAMAGED.
Consequence: THIS MAY REDUCE THE NUT'S ABILITY TO RESIST ROTATION, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE NUT TO BACK OFF AND THE DUAL WHEEL SET TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AXILOK NUTS FOR LOCKING CLIP ENGAGEMENT OR DAMAGE. THEY WILL BE ADJUSTED OR REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 800-547-0712.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE
1 complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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
Safety Rating for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 STERLING A-LINE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE
FREIGHTLINER LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
sp54002 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
sp54002 Power Distribution Box, Chassis
SB-35-7 — SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
STERLING: AN OIL LEAK FROM EXTERNAL BREATHER ON FORWARD REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER AND INSTALLATION FOR A LEAK REMEDY WITH THE ADDITIONAL INTERNAL BREATHER IS AVAILABLE. MODEL L-LINE, A-LINE, ACTERRA. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 STERLING A-LINE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the STERLING A-LINE
- 2003 STERLING A-LINE — 1 complaint
- 2004 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2005 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2006 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2007 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2008 STERLING A-LINE (current)
- 2009 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2010 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2011 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
- 2012 STERLING A-LINE — 0 complaints
Other STERLING Models
- STERLING ACTERRA — 10 total complaints
- STERLING L LINE — 9 total complaints
- STERLING BULLET 5500 — 8 total complaints
- STERLING 827 — 7 total complaints
- STERLING LT — 5 total complaints
- STERLING 360 — 4 total complaints
- STERLING 825 — 4 total complaints
- STERLING STERLING — 4 total complaints