NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2003 Sterling Acterra, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as STERLING ACTERRA.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2008-03-25. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 28,764 MY 2001 THROUGH 2008 FCCC B2 AND FS65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, FCCC FB65 CONVENTIONAL BUSES, AND STERLING ACTERRA, FREIGHTLINER FLN, AND BUSINESS CLASS M2 HEAVY TRUCKS, BUILT FROM JANUARY 26, 2000, THROUGH MARCH 24, 2008, MANUFACTURED WITH ARVINMERITOR OR AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY 6,000 THROUGH 8,000 POUND FRONT AXLES UTILIZING A FOUR PIECE SPINDLE-NUT SET. THESE AXLE AS (excerpt)
Consequence: CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH. (excerpt)
Remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 8, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2007-07-16. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.
Defect: CERTAIN FREIGHTLINER SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS, HEAVY TRUCKS, AND THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2002 AND JULY 3, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVES. THE PARKER SCV BRASS 90 DEGREE SINGLE CHECK VALVES (SCV) WHICH ATTACH TO THE SUPPLY PORT OF A BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE CAN BREAK APART. PIECES OF THE PARKER SCV CAN BECOME LODGED INSIDE THE SR (excerpt)
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD EITHER RESULT IN LEAKAGE AND CAUSE A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING OR POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY OR BRAKE DRAG WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH. (excerpt)
Remedy: FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008 TO FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS OWNERS; TO THOMAS BUILT BUS OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2005-03-30. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH KYS 4735-43782-02 ENGINE COOLING FANS AND BUILT ON CATERPILLAR 3126, C7, MBE906, MBE926, OR CUMMINS ISC ENGINES, THE STEEL FAN INSERT ON THE COOLING FANS CAN CRACK.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-06-07. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH 8,000 OR 6,000 POUND FRONT AXLES AND FOUR-PIECE SPINDLE NUT SETS, PREMATURE FRONT ,WHEEL BEARING WEAR MAY BE CAUSED BY INCONSISTENT BEARING ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT.
Consequence: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE OIL SEALS AND HUB CAP GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
1 investigations; 0 open.
RQ07003
Opened: 2007-12-05. Closed: 2008-03-26.
FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON DAIMLER TRUCK NORTH AMERICA 'S (DTNA) MARCH 19, 2008, DEFECT NOTIFICATION REPORT WHICH OUTLINES DTNA'S INTENTION TO CAMPAIGN 28,764 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING, AND FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS VEHICLES [EQUIPPED WITH EITHER ARVINMERITOR OR AXLE ALLIANCE COMPANY 6,000 - 8,000 POUND RATED FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES UTILIZING A FOUR PIECE SPINDLE NUT SET] MANUFACTURED
Systems: SUSPENSION, WHEELS.
Linked campaign numbers: 08V137000.
Manufacturer communications
7 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
|---|
| STEERING | 1 |
|---|
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
|---|
10141804
Date: 2018-02-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
sp54020 Strobe and Beacon Lights
10038247
Date: 2011-03-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
DAIMLER TRUCKS: THERE ARE NEW CGI BELLOWS, BECAUSE THE CURRENT ONES ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. *RM
10031704
Date: 2010-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
STERLING TRUCK: AIRLINER SUSPENSION SIX PIECE BOLTED SERVICE CROSSMEMBER. SIX PIECE BOLTED SERVICE CROSS MEMBERS ARE AN IMPROVED, MORE DURABLE SERVICE REPLACEMENT FOR FIVE PIECE WELDED CROSS MEMBERS, OR BOLTED FIVE PIECE SERVICE CROSS MEMBERS, TO BE USED WITH STEEL FRAME RAILS. L LINE, A LINE, AN
10029347
Date: 2009-07-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN, STEERING, WHEELS.
STERLING:STEER AXLE MAINTENANCE, AAC AND MERITOR 6000 LB AND 8000 LB AXLES. THE AXLES INCLUDE MODELS-MERITOR MFS-08, MFS-06, AN AAC (MBA) F080-2N (AF-8-2, AF-6-2) FC-1. THIS BULLETIN IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE TO BE ADDED TO DTNA MAINTENANCE MANUALS FOR ALL MO
10028710
Date: 2009-02-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
STERLING: SOME BARKSDALE HEIGHT CONTROL VALVES HAVE BEEN RETURNED FOR WARRANTY BECAUSE FOUR BOLTS IN THE VALVE HOUSING WERE OVERTIGHTENED, OFTEN, ENOUGH TO CRACK THE VALVE HOUSING. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE
10026125
Date: 2008-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
STERLING: CUMMINS ISB DRIVE BELT JUMPING. THE POLY-V SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT MAY JUMP OFF ONE OR MORE OF THE PULLEYS DURING OPERATION. *PE
10025545
Date: 2008-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE WHEN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED. AFFECTS CERTAIN STERLING A-LINE, L-LINE AND ACTERRA VEHICLES BUILT AFTER FEBRUARY 23, 2001. *PE