RoadVitals

2008 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 Jul 16, 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.
13
Latest Aug 31, 2011
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

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Sterling Acterra, most frequently naming the engine category. 13 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 108 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

  • Engine1100.0%

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

13 campaigns cover this model year

View all 13

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
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
11V173000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mar 15, 2011
50 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2 AND STERLING ACTERRA EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 18, 2006, THROUGH JULY 7, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH EPA 2007 MBE 900 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES. ENGINE SOFTWARE MAY NOT REACT PROPERLY TO CERTAIN AFTERMARKET TREATMENT DEVICE FAULT CODES. THE SOFTWARE MAY UNNECESSARILY SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE OR MAY FAIL TO SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE WITH AN AFTERMARKET DEVICE OVER-TEMP FAULT.
The risk: UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. OVERHEATING OF THE AFTERTREATMENT DEVICE WITHOUT ENGINE SHUTDOWN MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712. THIS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 10V-472).
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number 10C-6View on NHTSA.gov
10V472000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Oct 8, 2010
58 units potentially affected
The defect: DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 FREIGHTLINER BUSINESS CLASS M2, CUSTOM CHASSIS MT45, S2 CHASSIS, AND STERING ACTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 5, 2006, THROUGH MAY 24, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH EPA 2007 MBE 900 DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES. ENGINE SOFTWARE MAY NOT REACT PROPERLY TO CERTAIN AFTERMARKET TREATMENT DEVICE FAULT CODES. THE SOFTWARE MAY UNNECESSARILY SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE OR MAY FAIL TO SHUTDOWN A VEHICLE WITH AN AFTERMARKET DEVICE OVER-TEMP FAULT.
The risk: UNEXPECTED SHUTDOWN OF A VEHICLE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. OVERHEATING OF THE AFTERTREATMENT DEVICE WITHOUT ENGINE SHUTDOWN MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY DETROIT DIESEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number 10C-6View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

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

Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2008

AIR DRYER ON 2008 ACTERRA TRUCKS. THE NEW SYSTEM ON THE ENGINE ALLOWS EXHAUST SOOT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR RECEIVES ITS AIR FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE ON THE INTAKE. THE PROBLEM IS THIS SOOT IS BUILDING IN THE PURGE VALVE ON THE AD9 AIR DRYER AND CAUSING AIR TO LEAK OUT OF BOTTOM OF DRYER. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ON BOTH 2008 TRUCKS AND CAUSING PROBLEM WITH AIR PRESSURES. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO DEALER AND HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE IT UP WITH FREIGHTLINER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234506
Incident
Jun 22, 2008
Mileage
3,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

WI21-008

EQUIPMENT

Warranty Information Letter announcing DTNA is adjusting the Standard Repair Times (SRTs) shown. The updated times will be applied to repair orders opened on or after April 5, 2021.

sbh00022

EQUIPMENT

Reminder: Paper Service Bulletin Mailings Are Discontinued

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

sp00004

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

sp00004 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

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—
2008Viewing1131—
20070112—
2006272—
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.