2004 Sterling ACTERRA: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS THE REAR HUB BEARINGS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2007-07-16 (July 16, 2007)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2008-03-25 (March 25, 2008)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2008-12-17 (December 17, 2008)

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.

Consequence: 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.