Menu

2008 Sterling ActerraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2008 Sterling Acterra, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 13 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls13Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage4kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 31, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Sterling Acterra has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

13 recalls

2008 Sterling Acterra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 11V-455 · Aug 31, 2011 · 43 vehicles

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 10V-341 · Jul 27, 2010 · 5,743 vehicles

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUITED GRID HEATER COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 9 more recalls
–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V-451 · Nov 24, 2009 · 101 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION WILL PERMIT HOT EXHAUST GASES TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TAILPIPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF MELTING OR BURNING OF NEARBY SURFACES, OR A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Conventional: air

Recall 08V-159 · Apr 9, 2008 · 900 vehicles

Risk. IF THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE BECOMES LODGED, IN THE EVENT OF A PRIMARY RESERVOIR FAILURE, AIR PRESSURE CAN LEAK PAST THE LODGED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE THEREBY…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly

Recall 07V-530 · Nov 13, 2007 · 38,000 vehicles

Risk. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL MAY FAIL TO LATCH WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 07V-333 · Aug 1, 2007 · 1,042 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY REDUCE THE NUT'S ABILITY TO RESIST ROTATION, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE NUT TO BACK OFF AND THE DUAL WHEEL SET TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, RESULTING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering

Recall 07V-306 · Jul 18, 2007 · 18,000 vehicles

Risk. INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Supply: check valve

Recall 07V-302 · Jul 16, 2007 · 75,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Sterling.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Acterra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Acterra median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Sterling Acterra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHINGPE07047 · closed Nov 19, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-530
In owners' words

What Acterra owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AIR DRYER ON 2008 ACTERRA TRUCKS. THE NEW SYSTEM ON THE ENGINE ALLOWS EXHAUST SOOT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR RECEIVES ITS AIR FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE ON THE INTAKE. THE PROBLEM IS THIS SOOT IS BUILDING IN THE PURGE VALVE ON THE AD9 AIR DRYER AND CAUSING AIR TO LEAK OUT OF BOTTOM…
Complaint 10234506 · Jul 16, 2008 · 3,500 miles

Own a 2008 Acterra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.