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Campaign 11V478 Posted September 16, 2011 73,500 units

2004-2008 Freightliner Truck Recall 11V478: Fuel Leak

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 11V478 covers 73,500 2004-2008 Freightliner Columbia, 4900, L-Line, A-Line, Business Class M2, Fld, and Cascadia trucks for diesel fuel leaks.

Freightliner is recalling 73,500 2004-2008 Columbia, Business Class M2, Fld, and Cascadia trucks because a plastic low-pressure fuel line on EPA04 MBE4000 engines can develop a substantial diesel leak. Leaking fuel can create a road hazard and raise crash risk, and fuel near an ignition source can start a fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The low pressure fuel line on these 2004-2008 Freightliner trucks carries diesel from the engine-mounted fuel filter to the engine block before the fuel is pressurized for combustion. On trucks with EPA04 MBE4000 engines, this plastic line sits near the center of the engine on the left-hand side. It is supposed to move fuel without leaking while the engine runs.

The problem is the plastic line between the fuel filter and the engine block. That line can develop a substantial diesel fuel leak. Once the line leaks, fuel no longer stays contained in the low pressure side of the fuel system, and the engine area needs recall inspection and repair.

There is no warning sign before failure. After a leak starts, an owner or driver can notice diesel fuel around the engine area or under the truck, but the recall does not identify an earlier symptom that appears before the line fails.

Who's affected?

Covers seven medium-duty and heavy-duty truck lines from 2004-2008, all tied to the fuel system.

2008 Freightliner Columbia fuel system
2004 Western Star 4900 fuel system
2007 Western Star 4900 fuel system
2004 Sterling L-Line fuel system
2006 Sterling L-Line fuel system
Units affected73,500

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 loose or damaged low pressure fuel line can leak fuel. That creates a road hazard, increases crash risk, and, near an ignition source, can lead to a fire. If you see or smell fuel, stop driving, move away from traffic, and call a Freightliner dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Freightliner dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2008 Freightliner Columbia, 4900, L-Line, A-Line, Business Class M2, Fld, or Cascadia is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a Detroit Diesel authorized repair facility or a franchised Freightliner dealer for the free fuel-line repair.
  3. Reference recall number 11V478 when you call, and ask whether the facility needs the owner letter before inspection.
  4. Schedule the inspection and steel low-pressure fuel-line replacement that fixes the plastic fuel line diesel leak.
  5. Avoid driving if you see or smell diesel fuel, and ask the repair facility about towing or service instructions before moving the truck.

What happens at the repair

For this recall, the repair is performed through Detroit Diesel Corporation authorized repair facilities. A Freightliner technician inspects the engine mounted low pressure fuel line between the fuel filter and engine block. If the truck still has the plastic low pressure fuel line, the technician replaces it with a steel low pressure fuel line. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The filing does not describe a separate reimbursement process for owners who already paid for a related fuel line repair.

Timeline

September 16, 2011 NHTSA published the recall
February 21, 2012 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 11V478?

Recall 11V478 covers 73,500 2004-2008 Freightliner Columbia, 4900, L-Line, A-Line, Business Class M2, Fld, and Cascadia heavy trucks with EPA04 MBE4000 engines. The plastic low pressure fuel line can leak diesel fuel. Authorized repair facilities replace it with a steel line for free.

What should I do if my 2004-2008 Freightliner Columbia, 4900, L-Line, A-Line, Business Class M2, Fld, or Cascadia is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V478. If it is, contact a Freightliner service desk or Detroit Diesel authorized repair facility and ask for the free low pressure fuel line inspection and steel-line replacement.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. For recall 11V478, the authorized repair facility inspects the truck and replaces the plastic low pressure fuel line with a steel low pressure fuel line free of charge.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is a substantial diesel fuel leak from the low pressure fuel line. Leaking fuel creates a road hazard that increases crash risk, and fuel leakage near an ignition source creates fire risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free repair promptly.

What if I bought this truck used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN for recall 11V478, then contact a Freightliner service desk or Detroit Diesel authorized repair facility with the campaign number and ask for the free fuel-line repair.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V478000
Freightliner customer service1-800-547-0712
NHTSA recall #11V478
NHTSA recall # (full)11V478000

Source documents

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 →