- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2006 Sterling Acterra Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2006 Sterling Acterra with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (2). Those complaints describe 2 crashes. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in May 2019 for the reservoir / tank. For comparison, the 2005 has 1 and the 2007 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Acterra year, for its age
#353 most complained-about 2006 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2006 Sterling Acterra problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2006 Sterling Acterra recalls 7
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
- 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 fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- On certain truck-tractors equipped with holland simplex se or se ii fifth wheels, the latch lever pivot bolt assembly may have been over-tightened which could distort the pivot bolt spacer sleeve. Corrosion or contaminates in the pivot may cause it to bind and prevent the fifth wheel jaw from latching securely around the trailer king pin.
- The risk
- There is a possibility that the fifth wheel may fail to latch without the driver's knowledge. When the occurs, the driver could drive away and the trailer could become disengaged increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the pivot bolt and sleeve with a hex head shoulder bolt and washer. The recall began on january 3, 2008. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
- 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 equipped with visteon windshield wipers, the motor may have been produced without grease applied to the output shaft gear.
- The risk
- After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear teeth to distort or fracture during operation resulting in the loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on february 13, 2006. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2006 Sterling Acterra
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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.
Sterling Acterra: every year compared
All Acterra years2006 Sterling Acterra vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Sterling Acterra | 2 | 7 | D | |
| 2006 Sterling LT | 1 | 1 | D | 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 2006 Sterling Acterra
Does the 2006 Sterling Acterra have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2006 Sterling Acterra: reservoir / tank (May 2019); engine (August 2011); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (December 2008); axle assembly (March 2008) and more. 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 2006 Sterling Acterra?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (2).
How many complaints has the 2006 Sterling Acterra had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 29, 2008 and the latest on February 26, 2008. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2006 Sterling Acterra a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 35 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than 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 2006 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