2007 Sterling L-Line Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2007 Sterling L-Line has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 294,917 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, diesel. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 11V478000 2011-09-16 73,500 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…

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 SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS…

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 11V136000 2011-02-25 2,013 affected
Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 STERLING L-LINE VEHICLES CONFIGURED WITH CAR HAULER BODIES AND CHASSIS, AND EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 MBE4000 ENGINES WITH A FUEL FILTER MOUNTED AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2004, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2007. THE LOWER LOW PRESSURE FUEL…

Consequence

FUEL LEAK ONTO THE ROADWAY COULD CAUSE A SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER AND LOWER LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES WITH A MORE ROBUST FUEL LINES. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. DTNA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL DURING APRIL 2011. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 09V366000 2009-09-23 25,362 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 1-800-447-4986 OR DAIMLER TRUCKS AT…

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 08V113000 2008-03-11 62,000 affected
Defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 62,000 MY 2005-2007 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS, CENTURY CLASS, COLUMBIA, CORONADO, FLD, CLASSIC, STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE, AND WESTERN STAR 4900 TRUCKS. A FRACTURED FUEL LINE COULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL.

Consequence

IF A LEAK CONTINUES UNDETECTED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FUEL MAY IGNITE AT A HOT ENGINE SURFACE AND/OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD SURFACE.

Remedy

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED FREE OF CHARGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

TRAILER HITCHES 07V530000 2007-11-13 38,000 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…

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.

WHEELS 07V333000 2007-08-01 1,042 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.

STEERING 07V306000 2007-07-18 18,000 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…

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 07V302000 2007-07-16 75,000 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…

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 1-800-547-0712.

Complaints by component

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2
STEERING
1
1injuries
TIRES
1
1injuries
Total complaints4

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Blown michelin steer tire that was 3 months old. Had about 35,000 miles on this tire. I still have tire. Heard of alot of mishaps with this same type and size of tire. I thought I was gonna die when this happened. Happened on sept 28 2010. *tr”

STEERING · reported 2010-09-28

“Blown michelin steer tire that was 3 months old. Had about 35,000 miles on this tire. I still have tire. Heard of alot of mishaps with this same type and size of tire. I thought I was gonna die when this happened. Happened on sept 28 2010. *tr”

TIRES · reported 2010-09-28

“We have 6 sterling trucks affected by recall #08v-113. We have had two of our trucks experience a failure in the fuel lines, spraying diesel fuel all over the road behind us, paying for several car washes for cars following us and paying for after hours road side repairs. Detroit diesels recall…”

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL · reported 2008-05-25

“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 sterling l-line. The contact stated that the diesel fuel line was leaking. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the truck was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 08v113000 (fuel system, diesel).…”

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL · reported 2006-01-01

Defect investigations

Investigation EA11011 Opened 2011-09-09 · closed 2013-09-25

Haldex Spring Brake Failures

ODI opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-007) based on one fleet report alleging it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires involving the subject vehicles.The fleet believed the fires were due to a power spring fracturing and puncturing a brake chamber diaphragm resulting in a loss of compressed air to the…

Investigation EA11011 Opened 2011-09-09 · closed 2013-09-25

Haldex Spring Brake Failures

ODI opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-007) based on one fleet report alleging it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires involving the subject vehicles.The fleet believed the fires were due to a power spring fracturing and puncturing a brake chamber diaphragm resulting in a loss of compressed air to the…

Investigation EA11011 Opened 2011-09-09 · closed 2013-09-25

Haldex Spring Brake Failures

ODI opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-007) based on one fleet report alleging it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires involving the subject vehicles.The fleet believed the fires were due to a power spring fracturing and puncturing a brake chamber diaphragm resulting in a loss of compressed air to the…

Investigation EA11011 Opened 2011-09-09 · closed 2013-09-25

Haldex Spring Brake Failures

ODI opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-007) based on one fleet report alleging it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires involving the subject vehicles.The fleet believed the fires were due to a power spring fracturing and puncturing a brake chamber diaphragm resulting in a loss of compressed air to the…

Investigation PE07047 Opened 2007-09-14 · closed 2007-11-19

INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING

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.

Investigation PE11002 Opened 2011-01-11 · closed 2011-03-17

Fuel Leak

ODI gathered information from four auto hauler fleets during its investigation.At least five of the fleets' vehicles were damaged or completely destroyed by a fire caused by a leak in low pressure fuel line.The fleets reported numerous other failures that spilled large quantities of diesel fuel on roadways and…

Investigation PE11007 Opened 2011-03-29 · closed 2011-09-23

Haldex Brake Chamber Spring Failures

ODI opened this preliminary evaluation based on a fleet report that it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires.The fleet believed this was due to the power spring fracturing and subsequently puncturing the diaphragm resulting in an air loss causing the brakes to drag.A vehicle driver suffered smoke inhalation during…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2007 Sterling L-Line as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.