Total Complaints
2 filings
STERLING 8500 · model year
2009 STERLING 8500
2 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009STERLING8500 carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 8500 is engine and engine cooling with 1 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2009 8500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
Recalls (5)
11V45500031/08/2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 HEAT
10V34100027/07/2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 FREIGHTLINER, FCCC, STERLING, AND WESTERN STAR HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIFIC MBE900 EPA04 AND EPA07 MODEL ENGINES. THE INTAKE AIR GRID HEATER MAY SHORT CIRCUIT AND FAIL
09V22000012/06/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:QUICK RELEASE VALVE
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 1,460 MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS AND FCCC CHASSIS (USED ON THOMAS BUILT SCHOOL BUSES) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 11 THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN HALDEX QUICK RELEASE VALVES (QRV). THE RUBBER DIAPHRAGM INSIDE THE QRV MAY EXPERIENCE DELAMINA
09V40000008/10/2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 FREIGHTLINER, STERLING AND WESTERN STAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL DD15 EPA07 ENGINES WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GRID HEATERS. INCREASED INTERNAL GRID HEATER RESISTANCE CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED SCREWS MAY MELT THE SOLDER ON THE GR
09V39100006/10/2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HEAVY TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 17, 2006 AND MARCH 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH EPA07 MODEL MBE4000 ENGINES BUILT WITH PLASTIC LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINES. THE PLASTIC LINES MAY EXPERIENCE LEAKS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS CAUSED BY STRESS
Recent Complaints
20110124ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THESE THREE TYPES OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 2009 STERLING LNG, 2010 FREIGHTLINER LNG AND KENWORTH LNG 2010 ARE DESIGN TO TRANSPORT LOADS IN AND OUT FROM THE PORT OF LONG BEACH. THESE THREE VEHICLES HAS A TENDENCY TO BE MECHANICALLY PROBLEMATIC BY CONSTANTLY BREAKING DOWN BUT THE MOST CONCERN ISSUE IS THAT THESE VEHICLES HAS A NORMAL FUNCTION IN TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHICH IS DANGEROUS TO OUR PUBLIC. THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS AROUND 200 LNG TRUCKS WHICH THEY ALL SUDDENLY TURN OFF ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. OUR COMPANY STATE THAT ONLY A 10% OF THE LNG TRUCKS HAVE THIS ISSUE WHICH IS A LIE BECAUSE I DRIVE THIS TRUCKS AND ALL OF MY COLLIES WORKERS HAVE THESE ISSUES. THESE TRUCKS NEED A RECALL AND NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THE ROAD.
20110124FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THESE THREE TYPES OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 2009 STERLING LNG, 2010 FREIGHTLINER LNG AND KENWORTH LNG 2010 ARE DESIGN TO TRANSPORT LOADS IN AND OUT FROM THE PORT OF LONG BEACH. THESE THREE VEHICLES HAS A TENDENCY TO BE MECHANICALLY PROBLEMATIC BY CONSTANTLY BREAKING DOWN BUT THE MOST CONCERN ISSUE IS THAT THESE VEHICLES HAS A NORMAL FUNCTION IN TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHICH IS DANGEROUS TO OUR PUBLIC. THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS AROUND 200 LNG TRUCKS WHICH THEY ALL SUDDENLY TURN OFF ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING. OUR COMPANY STATE THAT ONLY A 10% OF THE LNG TRUCKS HAVE THIS ISSUE WHICH IS A LIE BECAUSE I DRIVE THIS TRUCKS AND ALL OF MY COLLIES WORKERS HAVE THESE ISSUES. THESE TRUCKS NEED A RECALL AND NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THE ROAD.
Compare 2009STERLING8500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2009 STERLING 8500 have?▼
The 2009 STERLING 8500 has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 STERLING 8500?▼
Yes, the 2009 STERLING 8500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 STERLING 8500?▼
The most-complained component for the 2009 STERLING 8500 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2009 STERLING 8500 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.