RoadVitals

2005 Freightliner Sterling Acterra

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Nov 6, 2013
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 27, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2005 Freightliner Sterling Acterra, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

WHEELS

Apr 27, 2005
3,500 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ACCURIDE ALUMINUM WHEELS, THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY PRE-STRESSED. THIS ALLOWS CRACKS TO DEVELOP OVER TIME.
The risk: THIS MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO WHEEL FAILURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.
FREIGHTLINER LLCManufacturer number FL-448View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ07003ClosedRecall Query

FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Dec 5, 2007
Closed Mar 26, 2008

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 BETWEEN JANUARY 26, 2000, AND MARCH 24, 2008.DTNA HAS PROPOSED PROVIDING A REMEDY FOR THE CURRENTLY INSTALLED FOUR PIECE SPINDLE NUT SYSTEMS WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCORRECT END PLAY, [BEARING] CONE SPIN, EXCESSIVE HEAT, DEGRADATION OF LUBRICATION, WEAR OF THE SPINDLE NUT [BACKFACE] AND BEARING JOURNAL, OIL CONTAMINATION WITH METAL SHAVINGS, AND PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE.CONTINUED OPERATION MAY LEAD TO A WHEEL SEPARATION.ODI HAS RELIEVED DTNA OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUESTED AS PART OF THIS RQ SO THAT DTNA COULD FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON INVESTIGATION OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION ISSUES AND PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A RESPONSIVE AND TIMELY FIELD ACTION (CAMPAIGN).

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUBLed to recall 08V137000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Nov 6, 2013
1 injury reported

AFTER HAVING THE TOW TRUCK FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS, THE DASH OF THE TOW TRUCK BEGAN TO BREAK EVERYWHERE UP TO SPLIT IN SEVERAL PLACES OF THE SAME. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE FUSE BOX FELL OFF CAUSING THE IMPACT TO THE FOOT OF A CUSTOMER WHO WAS MOUNTED ON THE TOW TRUCK AT THE TIME. THERE IS ANY CHANCE THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION IN PARTICULAR OF THE TOW TRUCK. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS SITUATION RELATED TO THE DASH BECAUSE THE SITUATION IS NOT ALONE WITH MY TOW TRUCK AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE OTHERS STERLING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND WHEN YOU GO TO THE DEALERS ALL THEY SAY IS THAT THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. THE CABLES INSIDE THE DASH HAVE BEEN PEELING, THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE DASH. WHEN PEELED GONE CABLES CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE SYSTEM AND THIS IS WORRYING BECAUSE IN THE WAKE OF THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE INSIDE THE TOW TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10551204
Incident
Sep 8, 2011