NHTSA vehicle safety data
2005 Sterling Acterra Recalls & Complaints
The 2005 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 2005 Sterling Acterra. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2005 Sterling Acterra owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2005 Sterling Acterra, describing incidents dated May 12, 2016.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10871326 · Filed
ROD CONNECTING CLUTCH PEDAL TO CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER BROKE, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS OR SAFELY STOP VEHICLE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN VEHICLE'S LIFE. FIRST TIME HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT, VERY NEARLY RESULTING IN A COLLISION. LAST TIME HAPPENED IN COMPANY YARD. ALL…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 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
Insufficient Air Reservoir Volume/FMVSS 121
NHTSA #19V370000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Reservoir/Tank · NHTSA notice
Reported May 14, 2019 · Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Potentially affected: 741 vehicles
Repair completion: 38.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign FL-815 · Owners notified June 25, 2021 · Vehicles built April 14, 2004 – January 18, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Cascadia, Columbia, Classic, FL80, FLD 120SD, Business Class M2, Western Star 4700, 4900, 6900, Sterling Acterra, L7500, LT7500, L8500, LT8500, L9500, and LT9500 vehicles. The vehicles may have an insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Safety consequence
An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
Manufacturer remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will add air reservoir capacity to the affected vehicles. Owner letters were mailed on November 29, 2021. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-815.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
GRID HEATER/POSSIBLE FIRE
NHTSA #11V455000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported August 31, 2011 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Potentially affected: 43 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 10C-5 · Owners notified September 12, 2011 · Vehicles built June 23, 2004 – March 15, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2012 FREIGHTLINER M2, STERLING ACTERRA, 7500 & 8500, AND THOMAS BUILT HDX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2004, THROUGH MARCH 15, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.
Safety consequence
A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Manufacturer remedy
DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-341.
Notes
DAIMLER TRUCKS' RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 10C-5.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
FRACTURED FUEL LINES OR TRANSFER TUBES/FIRE
NHTSA #08V668000 · Fuel System, Other — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice
Reported December 17, 2008 · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Potentially affected: 24,650 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-542 · Owners notified March 9, 2009 · Vehicles built March 9, 2004 – August 18, 2006 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (DTNA) IS RECALLING 24,650 SCHOOL AND NON-SCHOOL BUSES, MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2004 THROUGH AUGUST 18, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH EPA04 CERTIFIED MBE900 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED BY DETROIT DIESEL BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2004, AND JULY 31, 2006. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND TRANSFER TUBES MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.
Safety consequence
A FRACTURED FUEL LINE MAY LEAK DIESEL FUEL POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR FUEL MAY BE SPILLED ON THE ROAD CAUSING A SLIPPERY SURFACE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DETROIT DIESEL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED WITH MORE ROBUST LINES AND VIBRATION DAMPERS FREE OF CHARGE. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED DETROIT DIESEL DISTRIBUTORSHIPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL 1-313-592-3708 OR DTNA TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-547-0712 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Notes
DTNA'S RECALL NO. FL-452.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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
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.
SR-7 SPRING BRAKE VALVE ASSEMBLY/BENDIX/PARKER
NHTSA #07V302000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Check Valve · NHTSA notice
Reported July 16, 2007 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 75,000 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-504 · Owners notified January 11, 2008 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – July 3, 2007 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING EITHER LEAKAGE OUT OF THE SR-7 VALVE OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SR-7 VALVE. ALSO, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE INSIDE THE SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE VALVES CAN BECOME DEFORMED AND NOT SEAT PROPERLY.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-504.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.
REAR AXLE WHEEL ENDS
NHTSA #05V125000 · Suspension — Rear — Axle — Spindle · NHTSA notice
Reported March 30, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 1,564 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign FL-442 · Owners notified April 7, 2005 · Vehicles built November 26, 2004 – March 9, 2005 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS THE REAR HUB BEARINGS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED.
Safety consequence
THE REAR AXLE WHEEL ENDS WITH EXCESSIVE BEARING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT WILL OVERHEAT AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE REAR WHEEL END INSTALLATION TO VERITY BEARING ADJUSTMENT AND REPAIR TRUCKS WITH DAMAGED BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2005 OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
Notes
FREIGHTLINER RECALL NO. FL-442.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.
Other Sterling Acterra model years
Check your 2005 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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