- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Sterling A-Line Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2003 Sterling A-Line with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in July 2007 for the check valve. For comparison, the 2002 has 0 and the 2004 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical A-Line year, for its age
#427 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Sterling A-Line problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Sterling A-Line recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This can result in fan breakage, resulting in vehicle damage or personal injury.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
Be the first A-Line owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
1 complaints about the 2003 Sterling A-Line
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the fuel line assembly burst without warning spraying diesel fuel onto the vehicle and the highway. The contact managed to park the vehicle on the side of the highway without further incident. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined the fuel lines were fractured into and needed replaced. A nhtsa recall, #05v469000 remedy repair to the engine by emc recalibration and replacement of the fuel lift pump was performed which pertained to the fuel system. However, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer an additional repair without charge under the recall. The manufacturer was alerted.
Sterling A-Line: every year compared
All A-Line years2003 Sterling A-Line vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Sterling A-Line | 1 | 2 | B | |
| 2003 Sterling Acterra | 2 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Sterling L-Line | 1 | 3 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Sterling A-Line
Does the 2003 Sterling A-Line have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Sterling A-Line: check valve (July 2007); fan (March 2005). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Sterling A-Line?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Sterling A-Line had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 12, 2006 and the latest on October 12, 2006. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Sterling A-Line a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 69 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Sterling A-Line year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Sterling A-Line years have the most complaints?
2003 (1), 2008 (1). See every Sterling A-Line year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Sterling A-Line has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data