Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Sterling Acterra
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Sterling Acterra has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08V137000 8K THIN SPINDLE-NUT/ARVINMERITOR/AXLE ALLIANCE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V126000 ENGINE COOLING FAN/BORG WARNER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V272000 FREIGHTLINER/FRONT WHEEL BEARING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V336000 FREIGHTLINER/TRANSMISSION FRACTURE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V318002 FREIGHTLINER/CATERPILLAR/ENGINE PUMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V108001 FREIGHTLINER/PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
- Suspension 1 complaint
- Visibility 1 complaint
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Sterling ACTERRA exhibits several critical component issues, including axle assemblies, engine cooling, and driveline. Recalls primarily affect powertrain and suspension, underscoring reliability concerns and costly potential repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| front axle | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$2,000 | very common |
| engine cooling fan | 50,000–90,000 miles | $700–$1,500 | common |
| wheel bearing | 40,000–80,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| fuel pump | 70,000–120,000 miles | $600–$1,100 | common |
| parking brake linkage | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake checks and replacement
- Tire rotations
- Transmission fluid change
- Suspension inspections
- Cooling system flush
- Fuel system inspections
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual noises from front axle
- Cooling fan cracks
- Rough idling or stalling
- Difficulty engaging parking brake
- Excessive play in steering
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Sterling Acterra at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.