Check a VIN

2004 Sterling Acterra problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
11

The worst 2004 Sterling Acterra 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 5

Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported December 17, 2008 · 24,650 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 08V668000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assemblyReported March 25, 2008 · 28,764 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 number 08V137000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: supply: check valveReported July 16, 2007 · 75,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 07V302000 · Recall details

Suspension: rear: axle: spindleReported March 30, 2005 · 1,564 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks the rear hub bearings may have been incorrectly adjusted.
Risk
The rear axle wheel ends with excessive bearing preload adjustment will overheat and may cause a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will check the rear wheel end installation to verity bearing adjustment and repair trucks with damaged bearings. The recall began on april 7, 2005 owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712.

Recall number 05V125000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported March 30, 2005 · 3,568 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 number 05V126000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2004 Sterling Acterra

Defect investigations

Front wheel separationOpened December 5, 2007, closed March 26, 2008

Odi is closing this investigation based on daimler truck north america 's (dtna) march 19, 2008, defect notification report which outlines dtna's intention to campaign 28,764 freightliner, sterling, and freightliner custom chassis vehicles [equipped with either arvinmeritor or axle alliance company 6,000 - 8,000 pound rated front axle assemblies utilizing a four piece spindle nut set] manufactured between january 26, 2000, and march 24, 2008.dtna has proposed providing a remedy for the currently installed four piece spindle nut systems which may lead to incorrect end play, [bearing] cone spin, excessive heat, degradation of lubrication, wear of the spindle nut [backface] and bearing journal, oil contamination with metal shavings, and premature bearing failure.continued operation may lead to a wheel separation.odi has relieved dtna of the responsibility to provide the information requested as part of this rq so that dtna could focus their efforts on investigation of the wheel separation issues and planning and implementing a responsive and timely field action (campaign).

RQ07003

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Sterling Acterra 11

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

See all 11 bulletins for the 2004 Sterling Acterra

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Sterling Acterra before you buy

Compare the 2004 Sterling Acterra

Other model years

20022003200520062008

Questions about the 2004 Sterling Acterra

Is the 2004 Sterling Acterra reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2004 Sterling Acterra.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Sterling Acterra?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2004 Sterling Acterra have?

5 recalls, covering fuel system, other, power train and service brakes, air.

Share your experience with the 2004 Sterling Acterra

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 2004 Sterling Acterra?

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