2004 Sterling L Line: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2004 Sterling L Line
No owner has filed a defect report with NHTSA about the 2004 Sterling L Line. That is not a clean bill of health — it usually means few were sold, or the year is too new for problems to have surfaced.
Recalls on the 2004 model year
NHTSA has issued 8 recall campaigns covering the 2004 Sterling L Line, affecting an estimated 4,912 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover fuel system, diesel, engine and engine cooling, fuel system, other:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fitting and service brakes, air:supply:check valve. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
73,500 vehicles 2011-09-16- 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 engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak.
- 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 mailed to owners on october 28, 2011. The safety recall began on february 21, 2012. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
25,362 vehicles 2009-09-23- 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 1-800-547-0712.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
24,650 vehicles 2008-12-17- Defect
- Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling 24,650 school and non-school buses, motor home chassis, and trucks manufactured from march 9, 2004 through august 18, 2006, equipped with epa04 certified mbe900 engines, manufactured by detroit diesel between march 1, 2004, and july 31, 2006. The high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes may fatigue and fracture.
- Consequence
- A fractured fuel line may leak diesel fuel possibly resulting in a fire or fuel may be spilled on the road causing a slippery surface, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Detroit diesel will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired with more robust lines and vibration dampers free of charge. Repairs will be performed by authorized detroit diesel distributorships. The recall began on march 9, 2009. Owners may contact detroit diesel 1-313-592-3708 or dtna toll-free at 1-800-547-0712 for more information.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
75,000 vehicles 2007-07-16- 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 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…
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5,771 vehicles 2006-02-08- Defect
- On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar diesel engines, the variable valve actuation oil line may wear against the sharp edge of the cylinder head if not positioned correctly.
- Consequence
- The oil line may be cut on the cylinder head causing an oil leak and a possible fire.
- Remedy
- Caterpillar, in conjunction with freightliner, will be conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign free of charge. Owners may call caterpillar at 309-675-6496, or freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
1,564 vehicles 2005-03-30- Defect
- On certain trucks the rear hub bearings may have been incorrectly adjusted.
- Consequence
- The rear axle wheel ends with excessive bearing preload adjustment will overheat and may cause a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will check the rear wheel end installation to verity bearing adjustment and repair trucks with damaged bearings. The recall began on april 7, 2005 owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
3,568 vehicles 2005-03-30- 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.
- Consequence
- This can result in fan breakage, resulting in vehicle damage or personal injury.
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
130 vehicles 2005-03-30- Defect
- On certain car haulers equipped with mbe4000 engines, the clutch control cable may wear a hole into the fuel line, creating a fuel leak.
- Consequence
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
Every year of the Sterling L Line
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Why this page is short
A model year needs about 8 reports before percentiles mean anything, and this one does not have them. Complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road, so a thin page usually means a rare car, a new car, or a car whose owners do not file.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed