Check a VIN

2003 Sterling L-Line problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Sterling L-Line is steering. Its complaint count is close to a typical L-Line model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
8
Worst area
Steering

The worst 2003 Sterling L-Line problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Steering
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    1

Recalls 3

Service brakes, air: supply: check valveReported July 16, 2007 · 75,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 07V302000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported March 30, 2005 · 3,568 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 05V126000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported March 30, 2005 · 130 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain car haulers equipped with mbe4000 engines, the clutch control cable may wear a hole into the fuel line, creating a fuel leak.
Risk
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 number 05V128000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2003 Sterling L-Line

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Sterling L-Line 8

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2003 Sterling L-Line owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 24, 2005 · Steering · 27,462 miles · NY

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.

Compare the 2003 Sterling L-Line

Other model years

20012003200520072009

Questions about the 2003 Sterling L-Line

Is the 2003 Sterling L-Line reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 Sterling L-Line, close to a typical L-Line model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Sterling L-Line?

Steering, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2003 Sterling L-Line have?

3 recalls, covering service brakes, air, engine and engine cooling and fuel system, gasoline.

Share your experience with the 2003 Sterling L-Line

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Sterling L-Line?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN