2002 Sterling Acterra recalls and problems

The 2002 Sterling Acterra has 6 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Sterling dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Sterling Acterra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Sterling Acterra recalls

Recall 08V-137: Power Train

Reported Mar 25, 2008 · 28,764 vehicles affected · DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 28,764 my 2001 through 2008 fccc b2 and fs65 school bus chassis, fccc fb65 conventional buses, and sterling acterra, freightliner fln, and business class m2 heavy trucks, built from january 26, 2000, through march 24, 2008, manufactured with arvinmeritor or axle alliance company 6,000 through 8,000 pound front axles utilizing a four piece spindle-nut set. These axle assemblies may have been produced with a thin spindle nut which may lead to incorrect end play, cone spin, excessive heat, degradation of lubrication, wear of the spindle nut and bearing journal, oil contamination with metal shavings, and premature bearing failure.

Risk: Continued operation may lead to wheel separation and possibly a vehicle crash.

Fix: Daimler trucks will notify owners and will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 8, 2009. Owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Recall 05V-126: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Mar 30, 2005 · 3,568 vehicles affected · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Problem: On certain trucks and fire trucks equipped with kys 4735-43782-02 engine cooling fans and built on caterpillar 3126, c7, mbe906, mbe926, or cummins isc engines, the steel fan insert on the cooling fans can crack.

Risk: This can result in fan breakage, resulting in vehicle damage or personal injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan free of charge. The recall began on june 8, 2005. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Recall 04V-272: Suspension

Reported Jun 7, 2004 · 9,602 vehicles affected · FREIGHTLINER LLC

Problem: On certain trucks built with 8,000 or 6,000 pound front axles and four-piece spindle nut sets, premature front ,wheel bearing wear may be caused by inconsistent bearing endplay adjustment.

Risk: If allowed to progress, the front wheel assembly may separate from the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Fix: The dealers will replace the front axle oil seals and hub cap gaskets on both sides. The recall began september 7, 2004. Owners should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Recall 02V-336: Power Train

Reported Dec 13, 2002 · 145 vehicles affected · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Problem: On certain heavy trucks, the cast output yoke on the mercedes-benz transmissions could fracture on vehicle with 1610 or 16t series drivelines.

Risk: If pieces of the yoke separate, the debris can represent a potential hzard to people outside the vheicle and to other passing vehicles.

Fix: Dealers will replace the cast transmission output yoke with a forged part. Owner notification began on january 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Recall 02V-318: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 3, 2002 · 2,616 vehicles affected · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with caterpillar 3126e hydraulically controlled electronically actuated unit injected diesel engines with high efficiency pumps (Hep8), the pump components may experience a high pressure seal failure which can result in a short period of rough running and subsequent engine stall due to a loss of injection actuation pressure.

Risk: Freightliner recall no. Fl404. Once engine stall occurs, the engine cannot be restarted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Caterpillar is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will inspect the pump serial numbers and replace the pump if necessary. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Recall 02V-108: Parking Brake

Reported Apr 10, 2002 · 548 vehicles affected · FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION

Problem: On certain trucks equipped with meritor brand 12" x 4" dcm drum parking brake, the bolts used to attach the parking brake assembly to the flange yoke are too large and can interfere with the proper engagement of the braking system and possibly disengage.

Risk: Improper engagement of the parking brake could result in the vehicle rolling away without prior warning possibly resulting in personal injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the attaching bolts with the correct size bolts free of charge. Owner notification is expected to begin during october 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

2002 Sterling Acterra problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Visibility1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Suspension1
Exterior Lighting1

Most reported parts

  • Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 1
  • Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 10,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Sterling Acterra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Visibility · at 10,000 miles · reported Sep 14, 2004
When driving with the lights on, after 15 minutes to 1 hour, the tail lights and the box lights went off. The headlights stayed on, when turned off, they would come on again and would stay on for 10 minutes and the tail lights would go off again and the head lights would stay on. The windshield wipers were intermittent and the washer fluid would come on by itself. The electric door locks were intermittent. Several mechanics suggested that the 15 watt fuses would get too hot. The rear transaxle seal leaked.

Other Sterling Acterra years

Compare all Sterling Acterra years · All Sterling models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Sterling Acterra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2002 Sterling Acterra: 08V-137 (power train), 05V-126 (engine and engine cooling), 04V-272 (suspension), 02V-336 (power train), 02V-318 (fuel system, gasoline) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Sterling Acterra?

Owners report visibility problems most often (1 reports), followed by latches/locks/linkages (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 10,000 miles.

Are Sterling recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Sterling dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.