The worst 2006 Sterling L-Line problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
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Recalls 9
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V478000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other
- What is wrong
- 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 lines between the primary fuel pump and the engine mounted fuel filter, and the upper low pressure fuel line between the engine mounted fuel filter and the engine block may develop a substantial diesel fuel leak from cracking, or from abrasion due to contact with other components.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V136000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V366000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 08V668000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 08V113000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 07V530000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
- 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
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 06V030000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with visteon windshield wipers, the motor may have been produced without grease applied to the output shaft gear.
- Risk
- After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear teeth to distort or fracture during operation resulting in the loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on february 13, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.
Recall number 05V550000 · Recall details
See all 9 recalls for the 2006 Sterling L-Line
Defect investigations
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 disabled tractor trailers.Daimler Trucks North America submitteda recall notice on 24 February 2011.Daimler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The 573 letter was received prior to the due date of the IR response, therefore Daimler has been relieved from having to submit an IR response.Daimler will replace the upper and lower low pressure fuel lines with a more robust line.The exact remedy and replacement parts are not yet finalized.Daimler will be submitting a supplemental report when the information is available.ODI will closely monitor the remedy to ensure it is adequate.The subject vehicles have been recalled, therefore this investigation is closed.
PE11002
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.
PE07047
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Sterling L-Line 114
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued
- Sp00004 Replacing Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Certification Labels
- Sp54001 Power Distribution Box, Instrument Panel
- Sp54002 Power Distribution Box, Chassis
- Sp54007 Customer Access Connectors
- Sp54008 2-Inch Gauge Quick Reference (Silver Star)
- Sp54009 Sales Data Code to Radio Quick Reference
- Sp54011 ABS Chassis Harness, Sterling
- Sp54012 ICU3 Service Clusters
- Sp54013 Adding Daytime Running Lights
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Questions about the 2006 Sterling L-Line
Is the 2006 Sterling L-Line reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2006 Sterling L-Line.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Sterling L-Line?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2006 Sterling L-Line have?
9 recalls, covering fuel system, diesel, fuel system, other and engine and engine cooling.
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