Check a VIN

2012 Sterling 9500 problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
71

The worst 2012 Sterling 9500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 2

EquipmentReported August 16, 2012 · 1,663 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Freightliner, Sterling, and Western Star vehicles manufactured from July 7, 2008, through December 15, 2011, and equipped with perpendicular air tank mounting brackets. The air tank mounting brackets may develop cracks which can lead to the air tank brackets separating from the frame rail. The air tanks may also separate from the vehicle.
Risk
Air tanks that become separated from a moving vehicle may create a road debris hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2012. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks North America toll free at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 12V405000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported February 28, 2012 · 103,437 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Daimler trucks (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2006-2013 freightliner, sterling, and western star vehicles, equipped with detroit diesel epa07 and epa10, dd13 and dd15/16 engines, manufactured from january 20, 2006, through february 20, 2012. The pump to rail high pressure fuel line support system used on these engines is sensitive to assembly torque and may be damaged during service work. As a result of other repairs, the line supports may loosen, potentially leading to fuel line cracking and a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak could create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Also a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dtna will notify owners, and where necessary, the high pressure fuel line support system will be replaced by dtna authorized service facilities, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 27, 2012. Owners may contact dtna at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 12V074000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2012 Sterling 9500

Defect investigations

Air Brake Reservoir Bracket FractureOpened June 25, 2012, closed September 20, 2012

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles had allegedly experienced a fracture of one or more support brackets resulting in an unsecured air brake reservoir.This could result in a loss of air pressure necessary for proper service brake application and a potential road hazard if the reservoir separates from the vehicle in operation.By letter dated August 15, 2012, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) has notified ODI that it has initiated a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V‑405 and DTNA Recall No. FL-631) to address a safety defect in approximately 1,663 model year (MY) 2009 through 2012 Freightliner 114SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, Coronado, Sterling 9500 and Western Star 4700 trucks manufactured from July 7, 2008 through December 15, 2011, originally equipped with a specific perpendicular oriented air brake reservoir support bracket (P/N 12-22981-000).To date ODI is unaware of any bracket failures that resulted in a complete separation of the reservoir from the vehicle.Affected owners will be notified by DTNA beginning October 15, 2012 and affected vehicles will have the subject air brake reservoir support brackets replaced with a more robust bracket.Repairs will be performed by DTNA authorized service facilities.Copies of DTNA's reimbursement plan for pre-notification remedies will be submitted to ODI as a supplemental report when available.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

PE12018

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Sterling 9500 71

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 71 bulletins for the 2012 Sterling 9500

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2012 Sterling 9500 before you buy

Compare the 2012 Sterling 9500

Other model years

2007

Questions about the 2012 Sterling 9500

Is the 2012 Sterling 9500 reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2012 Sterling 9500.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Sterling 9500?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2012 Sterling 9500 have?

2 recalls, covering equipment and engine and engine cooling.

Share your experience with the 2012 Sterling 9500

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2012 Sterling 9500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN