Sterling: recalls by model and year

This table compares the model lines of Sterling only. The NHTSA files have no sales figures. A model line with more vehicles on the road gets more complaints. This site does not compare one make with a different make.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

1. 20V214000Received 14 Apr 2020. 63,175 units.

   Exterior Lighting

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Daimler 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."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The vehicle's rearward visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to ensure that it is completely visible, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 29, 2020. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL848.

   Report filed by Daimler Trucks North America LLC. Manufacturer campaign number FL848. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 May 2020. The campaign has 86 make, model and year entries.

2. 19V370000Received 14 May 2019. 741 units.

   Service Brakes, Air / Supply / Reservoir/Tank

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   An insufficient air reservoir volume may reduce brake effectiveness, increasing the risk of crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by Daimler Trucks North America LLC. Manufacturer campaign number FL-815. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 25 Jun 2021. The campaign has 63 make, model and year entries.

3. 16V880000Received 7 Dec 2016. 235 units.

   Electrical System / Alternator/Generator/Regulator

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Daimler 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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the alternator develops a short circuit, there is an increased risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   DTNA will notify owners, and DTNA dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-729.

   Report filed by Daimler Trucks North America LLC. Manufacturer campaign number FL-729. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Feb 2017. The campaign has 2 make, model and year entries.

4. 15V361000Received 10 Jun 2015. 2,601 units.

   Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Daimler 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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the driver or other occupants.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-684.

   Report filed by Daimler Trucks North America LLC. Manufacturer campaign number FL-684. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 6 Oct 2015. The campaign has 2 make, model and year entries.

5. 15V343000Received 3 Jun 2015. 3,200 units.

   Engine and Engine Cooling / Engine

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   Daimler 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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there is an increased risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Cummins will notify owners on behalf of DTNA, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 or Cummins customer service at 1-800-343-7357. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-681.

   Report filed by Daimler Trucks North America LLC. Manufacturer campaign number FL-681. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Jun 2015. The campaign has 27 make, model and year entries.

The list shows the newest 5 of 84 campaigns.

Download all 84 campaigns of Sterling (CSV)

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
• NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.

Which Sterling model line has the most recall campaigns?

The Acterra: 40 campaigns for 19 model years. A line with more model years has more campaigns.

Which Sterling model line has the most complaints?

The Acterra: 7 complaints for 19 model years. A line with more vehicles on the road gets more complaints.

Which components do the complaints about Sterling vehicles name?

Fuel System, Diesel: 5 component mentions. Suspension: 5 component mentions. Exterior Lighting: 3 component mentions.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for Sterling?

910,482 units in 84 campaigns. The units of a campaign that names 2 makes are in the figure of each make.