NHTSA vehicle safety data
2002 Sterling Acterra Recalls & Complaints
The 2002 Sterling Acterra has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Sterling dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Sterling Acterra. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2002 Sterling Acterra owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2002 Sterling Acterra, describing incidents dated June 23, 2004.
Most-cited components
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
- Suspension 1 complaint
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10079824 · Filed
WHEN DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON, AFTER 15 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR, THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE BOX LIGHTS WENT OFF. THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON, WHEN TURNED OFF, THEY WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND WOULD STAY ON FOR 10 MINUTES AND THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AGAIN AND THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. THE WINDSHIELD…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Sterling Acterra in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Recall Query RQ07-003: FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
Closed March 26, 2008
8K THIN SPINDLE-NUT/ARVINMERITOR/AXLE ALLIANCE
NHTSA #08V137000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported March 25, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Potentially affected: 28,764 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-527 · Owners notified January 8, 2009 · Vehicles built January 26, 2000 – March 24, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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 ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH A THIN SPINDLE NUT WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCORRECT END PLAY, CONE SPIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT, DEGRADATION OF LUBRICATION, WEAR OF THE SPINDLE NUT AND BEARING JOURNAL, OIL CONTAMINATION WITH METAL SHAVINGS, AND PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE.
Safety consequence
CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION AND POSSIBLY A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
DAIMLER TRUCKS RECALL NO. FL-527.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
ENGINE COOLING FAN/BORG WARNER
NHTSA #05V126000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice
Reported March 30, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 3,568 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-439 · Owners notified June 8, 2005 · Vehicles built January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN FAN BREAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-439.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
FREIGHTLINER/FRONT WHEEL BEARING
NHTSA #04V272000 · Suspension — Front — Wheel Bearing · NHTSA notice
Reported June 7, 2004 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 9,602 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-424 · Owners notified September 7, 2004 · Vehicles built August 1, 2000 – October 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-424. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FREIGHTLINER/TRANSMISSION FRACTURE
NHTSA #02V336000 · Power Train — Driveline · NHTSA notice
Reported December 13, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 145 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-405 · Owners notified January 30, 2003 · Vehicles built December 14, 2000 – December 4, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN HEAVY TRUCKS, THE CAST OUTPUT YOKE ON THE MERCEDES-BENZ TRANSMISSIONS COULD FRACTURE ON VEHICLE WITH 1610 OR 16T SERIES DRIVELINES.
Safety consequence
IF PIECES OF THE YOKE SEPARATE, THE DEBRIS CAN REPRESENT A POTENTIAL HZARD TO PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE VHEICLE AND TO OTHER PASSING VEHICLES.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAST TRANSMISSION OUTPUT YOKE WITH A FORGED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2003. 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
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-405. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FREIGHTLINER/CATERPILLAR/ENGINE PUMPS
NHTSA #02V318002 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported December 3, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 2,616 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL404 · Vehicles built July 16, 2002 – November 14, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3126E HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED ELECTRONICALLY ACTUATED UNIT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY PUMPS (HEP8), THE PUMP COMPONENTS MAY EXPERIENCE A HIGH PRESSURE SEAL FAILURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF ROUGH RUNNING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE STALL DUE TO A LOSS OF INJECTION ACTUATION PRESSURE.
Safety consequence
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL404. ONCE ENGINE STALL OCCURS, THE ENGINE CANNOT BE RESTARTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PUMP SERIAL NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE PUMP IF NECESSARY. 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 CATERPILLAR AT 1-800-447-4986 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
FREIGHTLINER/PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY
NHTSA #02V108001 · Parking Brake — Conventional — Mechanical — Linkage and Cable · NHTSA notice
Reported April 10, 2002 · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION
Potentially affected: 548 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-395 · Vehicles built June 1, 1994 – January 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR BRAND 12" X 4" DCM DRUM PARKING BRAKE, THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO THE FLANGE YOKE ARE TOO LARGE AND CAN INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY DISENGAGE.
Safety consequence
IMPROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING BRAKE COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ATTACHING BOLTS WITH THE CORRECT SIZE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 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.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Sterling Acterra model years
Check your 2002 Sterling Acterra VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Sterling Acterra at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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