RoadVitals

2006 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.
2
Latest Feb 26, 2008
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.
7
Latest May 14, 2019
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.
2
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Sterling Acterra, most frequently naming the driver assistance category. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 104 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Driver assistance2100.0%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
19V370000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

May 14, 2019
741 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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.
Daimler Trucks North America LLCManufacturer number FL-815View on NHTSA.gov
11V455000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Aug 31, 2011
43 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The 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.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number 10C-5View on NHTSA.gov
08V668000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 17, 2008
24,650 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number FL-542View 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
PE07047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING

Opened Sep 14, 2007
Closed Nov 19, 2007

ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007, FREIGHTLINER FILED DEFECT REPORT 07V-530 WHICH OUTLINES A SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM TO NOTIFY THE AFFECTED OWNERS AND CORRECT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLYLed to recall 07V530000

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed Feb 26, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 STERLING ACTERRA. WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND IT ACCELERATED, BUT WOULD NOT STOP. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT STRUCK TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE WAS CRUSHED IN AND SUSTAINED $1,800 WORTH OF DAMAGE. ONE OF THE TWO VEHICLES AS WELL AS THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 142,208. UPDATED 03/11/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10219196
Incident
Jan 25, 2008
Mileage
142,208 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 29, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 STERLING ACTERRA. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND, WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT BECAME STUCK. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 141,000. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HIT 2 OTHER VEHICLES. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10216372
Incident
Jan 25, 2008
Mileage
141,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

sbh00022

EQUIPMENT

Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued

sp00004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

sp00004 Replacing Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Certification Labels

sbh0006

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

If a GVWR certification label is lost or damaged, Freightliner will supply a duplicate label. Log on to DTNAConnect.com and under "DTNAConnect Resources", select the "Tool and Services" plus sign. Select "Request for Certification Labl or OWI." Fillout the form, then select "Review."

sbh0006

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

sbh0006 Replacing Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Certification Labels

sp54009

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

sp54009 Sales Data Code to Radio Quick Reference

sp54012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

sp54012 ICU3 Service Clusters

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Sterling Acterra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012010—
2011010—
2010050—
2009060—
20081131—
20070112—
2006Viewing272—
2005161—
2004061—
2003241—
2002161—
20010111—
20000171—
1999070—
1998040—
1997020—
1996010—
1995010—
1994010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.