Vehicle recall 01V140007 · September 17, 2001
Sterling Acterra, Freightliner Argosy and 5 more models
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with TRW tie rod ends on certain meritor axles.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with TRW tie rod ends on certain meritor axles. The tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearings that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness.
- Consequence
- This can lead to premature wear with possible separation of the ball stud from the socket, increasing the risk of loss of control of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove and replace all affected tie rods and drag links with different designed ends. Owner notification began November 8, 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.
- Notes
- Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 01V140007
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 17, 2001
- Filed by
- FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
- Owner notification
- November 8, 2001
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 75,000
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Freightliner Argosy (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
- Freightliner Century (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
- Freightliner FLD (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
- Freightliner FLN (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
- Freightliner MT-45 (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
- Freightliner MT55 (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
- Sterling Acterra (1999-2000): 2000, 1999
Has your Freightliner been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Freightliner dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.