The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·10V322000·Announced 2010-07-13

Daimler Trucks Recalls Freightliner and Sterling Trucks for Steering Column Defect

Daimler Trucks North America is recalling 6,325 model year 2009 and 2010 Freightliner and Sterling trucks because a steering column weld may be mislocated, risking loss of steering control.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect in the steering system that could result in loss of steering control and a vehicle crash, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling 6,325 model year 2009 and 2010 Freightliner Business Class M2, Sterling Acterra, A-Line, and L-Line heavy trucks. These vehicles were manufactured between September 8, 2008, and April 20, 2009, and are equipped with TRW IGEN3 intermediate steering columns.

The recall addresses a defect where the weld securing the spline tube to the intermediate tube may be mislocated, meaning it is not fully over the seam created when the tubes are pressed together. This condition could cause torsional and axial strength to fall below acceptable levels, potentially resulting in the separation of the steering column, loss of steering control, and a vehicle crash without warning.

The safety recall began on December 23, 2010. DTNA will notify owners, and the repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FREIGHTLINER, STERLING BUSINESS CLASS M2, ACTERRA, A-LINE, L-LINE
Brand
FREIGHTLINER
Manufacturer
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Category
Vehicle — Heavy Trucks
Hazard
Affected units
6,325

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (4)

  • BUSINESS CLASS M2
  • ACTERRA
  • A-LINE
  • L-LINE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · FREIGHTLINER

Same manufacturer · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

See all →

Same hazard · loss of steering control

See all →

Similar recalls