U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Sterling L-LINE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

27,462 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	1	100.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion): 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005

2005: 1

Pattern summary

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10122008 · 2005-05-24 (May 24, 2005)

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. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 27,462 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122008 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Fuel System, Diesel	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 10239882 · 16,966 mi 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 NOTICE STATES TO CONTACT THEM TO BE RE-IMBURSED. WHEN WE CALLED THE NUMBER LISTED, THE RECORDING STATES THEY WILL NOT RE-IMBURSE FOR THESE REPAIRS. *TR Look up ODI 10239882 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	1100.0% ODI 10259156 · 136,817 mi 2001 STERLING LT9513 PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AND FUSE PANEL SUPPORTS BREAKING LOOSE RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 76 EAST BOUND APROX. 2 MILES FROM THE RT. 8 INTERCHANGE WHEN WE HIT A " POT HOLE " A LARGE SNAP SOUND FOLLOWED BUT THE LOSE OF MY HEAD LIGHTS AND HEATER. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND INSPECTED THE FUSE PANEL. THE PANEL HAD SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE AND ALONG WITH THAT THE SUPPORTS HOLDING THE DASH BOARD HAD ALSO BROKE. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED A FEW BUSINESSES THAT I DEAL WITH AND ASKED IF THEY EVER HAD ANY PROBLEM… Look up ODI 10259156 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Equipment	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10584916 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 STERLING L8-500 EQUIPPED WITH A LITTLE FALLS MACHINE INC. SNOW PLOW, MODEL NUMBER PR-114. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE PLOW FEET FELL OFF. THE WEIGHT WAS APPROXIMATELY 65LBS/ THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO RESOLUTION. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TO FOUR OF HIS EIGHT PLOWS. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA Look up ODI 10584916 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10365389 · 344,818 mi 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 Look up ODI 10365389 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10122008 · 27,462 mi 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. *AK Look up ODI 10122008 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Structure	1100.0% ODI 10259156 · 136,817 mi 2001 STERLING LT9513 PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD AND FUSE PANEL SUPPORTS BREAKING LOOSE RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 76 EAST BOUND APROX. 2 MILES FROM THE RT. 8 INTERCHANGE WHEN WE HIT A " POT HOLE " A LARGE SNAP SOUND FOLLOWED BUT THE LOSE OF MY HEAD LIGHTS AND HEATER. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND INSPECTED THE FUSE PANEL. THE PANEL HAD SNAPPED OUT OF PLACE AND ALONG WITH THAT THE SUPPORTS HOLDING THE DASH BOARD HAD ALSO BROKE. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED A FEW BUSINESSES THAT I DEAL WITH AND ASKED IF THEY EVER HAD ANY PROBLEM… Look up ODI 10259156 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger/Bracket	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10206738 · 15,800 mi STERLING TRUCKS WITH TUFF-TRAC REAR SUSPENSION, THE SPRING MOUNTS ON THE AXLES ARE HITTING THE TRUCK FRAME. *TR Look up ODI 10206738 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Tires	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10365389 · 344,818 mi 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 Look up ODI 10365389 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)	Too few reports for a range	27,462 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10122008 · 27,462 mi 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. *AK Look up ODI 10122008 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2009: 0 complaints · 2010: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2009	0	0	0
2010	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2009	1	0	0
2010	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.