Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components (Sterling and Freightliner)
Vehicle recall 01V-085-001. NHTSA received FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION’s report on Mar 12, 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 Mar 12, 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?
THIS RESULTS IN SPONGY OR SOFT FEEL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND A DURAPARK PARK BRAKE SYSTEM MANUFACTURED BY ARVINMERITOR.
AIR IS ENTERING THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS THROUGH AN UNKNOWN PATH AND THE REAR SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES MAY NOT BE OPERATING PROPERLY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ABS ECU AND INSPECT THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR PROPER TRAVEL. IF EXCESSIVE TRAVEL IS DETECTED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WILL BE BLED AND REAR BRAKES ADJUSTED. AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES INSPECTED TO ASSURE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS WILL INCLUDE ADJUSTING AND BLEEDING THE BRAKES. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS THEY SHOULD DO SEVERAL HARD BRAKE APPLICATIONS WHILE STOPPED. THIS WILL EXERCISE THE SELF-ADJUSTING SYSTEM AND IF THEY OBSERVE A LOW OR SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE IN FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. 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.
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 1,350 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Sterling Acterraand 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, before the model years listed here
- Freightliner FLNand 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, 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.