Recall 11V330 covers 48,170 2008-2012 Sterling L-Line, A-Line, and related heavy trucks for a starter-cable fire risk. Free dealer repair is available.
Sterling is recalling 48,170 2008-2012 L-Line, A-Line, Cascadia, Century Class, Columbia, Coronado, and Constellation vehicles built with Detroit Diesel engines. A loose rubber-isolator bracket bolt can contact an unfused starter cable and create a short circuit, which can result in a vehicle fire; the Sterling dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rubber isolator on these 2008-2012 Sterling trucks is a vibration-damping part attached to a support bracket near the engine and starter wiring. Its job is to hold the bracket steady and keep nearby hardware separated from the starter cable while the truck runs.
On affected L-Line, Century Class, Columbia, Constellation, Coronado, A-Line, and Cascadia vehicles built with Detroit Diesel 15 or 16 engines, the bolt that attaches the rubber isolator to the support bracket can loosen. Once the bolt backs out, it can move into the path of the unfused starter cable. An unfused cable is not protected by a fuse at that point, so contact with the loose bolt can create a short circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing does not describe a dashboard light, noise, smell, or driver-noticeable symptom before the bolt contacts the starter cable.
Who's affected?
Covers 7 truck lines across the 2008-2012 model years, all tied to the battery cable component.
| 2009 Sterling L-Line | battery |
|---|---|
| 2008 Freightliner Century Class | battery |
| 2012 Freightliner Columbia | battery |
| 2010 Freightliner Columbia | battery |
| 2009 Freightliner Columbia | battery |
| 2008 Freightliner Columbia | battery |
| 2011 Freightliner Century Class | battery |
| 2009 Western Star Constellation | battery |
| 2011 Western Star Constellation | battery |
| 2008 Freightliner Coronado | battery |
| 2012 Western Star Constellation | battery |
| 2008 Sterling L-Line | battery |
| 2010 Freightliner Coronado | battery |
| 2008 Sterling A-Line | battery |
| 2010 Western Star Constellation | battery |
| 2012 Freightliner Cascadia | battery |
| 2012 Freightliner Coronado | battery |
| 2011 Freightliner Coronado | battery |
| 2009 Freightliner Coronado | battery |
| 2009 Sterling A-Line | battery |
| 2011 Freightliner Columbia | battery |
| 2012 Freightliner Century Class | battery |
| 2010 Freightliner Century Class | battery |
| 2009 Freightliner Century Class | battery |
| 2008 Freightliner Cascadia | battery |
| 2009 Freightliner Cascadia | battery |
| 2010 Freightliner Cascadia | battery |
| 2011 Freightliner Cascadia | battery |
| Units affected | 48,170 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A short circuit between an unfused battery cable and chassis ground can start a vehicle fire. Schedule the recall repair soon, and stop in a safe place if you see smoke or smell burning. Repair will be free at any franchised Sterling dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2012 Sterling L-Line, Century Class, Columbia, Constellation, Coronado, A-Line, or Cascadia is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Sterling dealer and ask whether the free bolt and isolator repair is available for recall number 11V330.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 11V330 when you call.
- Park the vehicle away from structures if you notice electrical burning smells, smoke, or signs of a short circuit.
- Avoid operating the vehicle until the dealer confirms whether the loose isolator bolt and starter-cable short risk have been repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Sterling technician installs a new bolt and isolator on the support bracket, then repairs the related recall condition at no charge. The work addresses the rubber isolator bolt that can loosen, back out, and contact the unfused starter cable. Because the remedy status is not marked available in this record, treat the final dealer repair as free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The source does not give a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the visit will take when you schedule.
Timeline
| June 21, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 21, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V330?
Recall 11V330 covers 48,170 2008-2012 Sterling L-Line, Century Class, Columbia, Constellation, Coronado, A-Line, and Cascadia vehicles built with Detroit Diesel 15 or 16 engines. A loose rubber-isolator bolt can contact an unfused starter cable, create a short circuit, and result in a vehicle fire.
What should I do if my 2008-2012 Sterling L-Line, Century Class, Columbia, Constellation, Coronado, A-Line, or Cascadia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V330. If it is, contact a franchised Sterling dealer to schedule the bolt and isolator repair. Reference recall number 11V330 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will install a new bolt and isolator free of charge. DTNA lists 1-800-547-0712 for owner questions about this campaign.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V330?
The safety risk is fire. If the loose isolator bolt backs out far enough to contact the unfused starter cable, it can create a short circuit between the battery cable and chassis ground. The dealer repair fixes the bolt and isolator issue for free.
What if I bought this Sterling vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your vehicle is included in recall 11V330, then contact a franchised Sterling dealer and give the service desk the campaign number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V330000 |
|---|---|
| Sterling customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V330 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V330000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →