- The 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.
- The risk
- Continued operation may lead to wheel separation and possibly a vehicle crash.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Sterling Acterra Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2003 Sterling Acterra with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (2). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in March 2008 for the axle assembly. For comparison, the 2002 has 1 and the 2004 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Acterra year, for its age
#342 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Sterling Acterra problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Sterling Acterra recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain freightliner school bus chassis, heavy trucks, and thomas built school buses manufactured between july 2002 and july 3, 2007, equipped with bendix sr-7 spring brake control valves. The parker scv brass 90 degree single check valves (scv) which attach to the supply port of a bendix sr-7 spring brake modulating valve can break apart. Pieces of the parker scv can become lodged inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valve, potentially causing either leakage out of the sr-7 valve or preventing air from properly exhausting from the sr-7 valve. Also, due to a manufacturing defect in the internal rubber check valve inside the sr-7 spring brake modulating valves, the valves can become deformed and not seat properly.
- The risk
- These conditions could either result in leakage and cause a delay in the application of the spring brake without warning or possibly lead to unintended vehicle rollaway or brake drag which could result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or death.
- The fix
- Freightliner will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on january 11, 2008 to freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis owners; to thomas built bus owners on february 1, 2008. Owners can contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
- The 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.
- The risk
- This can result in fan breakage, resulting in vehicle damage or personal injury.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The risk
- If allowed to progress, the front wheel assembly may separate from the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
- The 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.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2003 Sterling Acterra
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 sterling acterra. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the front passenger wheel detached from the vehicle and destroyed a nearby fence. The vehicle was previously repaired under the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 04v272000 (suspension:front:wheel bearing), but the failure had since recurred in 2009 and 2011.The failure mileage was 119,000 and the current mileage was 215,000.
Dt: contact received manufacturer recall fl-424 saying to take the truck to a dealer. When she called dealer to make an appointment dealer said he needed to order the recall part. When she called back he said that part wasn't in yet. The third time she called dealer said he had not ordered the part yet, and he needed to see the truck first before he ordered the part, and he was going to charge contact for taking the car apart and putting it back together again. Also, he would have to charge them for the...
Read the full complaint
part in order to get the part overnight. Contact did not want want to take vehicle back to the dealer because he was saying that it will take a week to get the work done. She said her recall letter stated it should take two hours to do the repairs. *Ak
Sterling Acterra: every year compared
All Acterra years2003 Sterling Acterra vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Sterling Acterra | 2 | 4 | C | |
| 2003 Sterling A-Line | 1 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2003 Sterling L-Line | 1 | 3 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Sterling Acterra
Does the 2003 Sterling Acterra have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Sterling Acterra: axle assembly (March 2008); check valve (July 2007); fan (March 2005); wheel bearing (June 2004). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Sterling Acterra?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (2).
How many complaints has the 2003 Sterling Acterra had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 24, 2005 and the latest on July 21, 2011. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Sterling Acterra a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 59 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Sterling Acterra year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Sterling Acterra years have the most complaints?
2003 (2), 2006 (2), 2002 (1). See every Sterling Acterra year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Sterling Acterra has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data