EXTERIOR LIGHTINGDaimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia, 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2, 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado, 2014-2021 Freightliner 122 SD, 2007 Sterling A 9500, 2006 Freightliner Argosy, 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500, 2008-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic, 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class, 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD, and 2017 Western Star 5700 vehicles. The rear reflective tape may be partially covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers on the road. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Sterling Recalls, Complaints & Safety Data
NHTSA safety recalls, owner-reported complaints and investigations, by model and model year · 1986–2015
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database holds 52 NHTSA owner-reported complaints filed against Sterling vehicles. Our database also holds 95 safety recall campaigns and 8 NHTSA investigations covering at least one Sterling model year.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Sterling models
Ordered by total owner-reported complaint volume, which is not a ranking of quality
| Model | Model years | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 827 | 1989–1991 | 7 | 0 |
| Acterra | 1994–2012 | 7 | 41 |
| L-Line | 1998–2010 | 7 | 27 |
| Bullet 5500 | 2008–2009 | 6 | 1 |
| Sterling | 1988–2001 | 4 | 1 |
| 360 | 2007–2009 | 3 | 5 |
| 825 | 1986–1988 | 3 | 2 |
| A-Line | 1998–2012 | 3 | 22 |
| Lt | 1998–2007 | 3 | 3 |
| 8500 | 2005–2012 | 1 | 5 |
| 9500 | 2006–2013 | 1 | 11 |
| Bullet | 2008–2009 | 1 | 5 |
| Cargo | 1999–2007 | 1 | 3 |
| Hx | 2003–2004 | 1 | 1 |
| LT9500 | 2004–2008 | 1 | 2 |
| 7500 | 2005–2012 | 0 | 3 |
| A9500 | 2007–2008 | 0 | 1 |
| At | 2006–2007 | 0 | 2 |
| AT9500 | 2000–2007 | 0 | 3 |
| Bullet 4500 | 2008–2009 | 0 | 1 |
| Century | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Condor | 2000–2007 | 0 | 3 |
| Hx L-Line | 2005–2007 | 0 | 1 |
| L | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| L7500 | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| L8500 | 2006–2007 | 0 | 1 |
| L9500 | 2004–2008 | 0 | 2 |
| LT7500 | 1999–2007 | 0 | 2 |
| LT8500 | 2006–2015 | 0 | 4 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Complaint totals count a report once for each model year it names; recall totals count a campaign once per model.
Recently issued recalls
The 8 newest campaigns covering a Sterling vehicle in our database
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.govSERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANKDaimler 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."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATORDaimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500 cab chassis vehicles manufactured November 1, 2007, to November 7, 2008. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may develop a short circuit.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEDaimler Trucks of North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500 chassis cab vehicles manufactured October 15, 2007, through November 10, 2008. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEDaimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured October 15, 2007, to November 10, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEDaimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2016 Freightliner 114SD and M2 Business Class trucks, 2008-2009 Sterling LT8500 trucks and Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner HDX transit buses equipped with certain Cummins Westport ISL G engines. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEDaimler Trucks North America LLC (Daimler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2015 Freightliner 114SD, Cascadia, M2 Business Class, Sterling LT8500, and Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX vehicles manufactured February 19, 2008, through February 11, 2014, and equipped with Cummins Westport Model ISL G and Cummins Westport Model ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLYDaimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet trucks manufactured October 15, 2007, through November 10, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud may fracture.
Browse by model year
Every year with at least one publishable Sterling model year
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications
Data on this page last refreshed .