Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly (Sterling, Freightliner and THOMAS and 3 more)
Vehicle recall 01V-044-002. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Feb 21, 2001.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Feb 21, 2001. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, SCHOOL BUS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW.
THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS.
CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 16,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Sterling Cargoand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Sterling A Lineand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Centuryand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Thomas MVP ERand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Thomas MVP EFand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Orion Vand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Sterling L Lineand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Western Star Heritageand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner XCand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FLNand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Cargoand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner Argosyand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Western Star Constellationand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Orion IIand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FLDand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FS-65and 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FLBand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Thomas Built Buses Transit Liner ERand 1999, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner S112and 1999, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.