Recall 11V455 covers 43 2005-2012 Sterling 8500, Acterra, Hdx, M2, and 7500 vehicles for an intake-grid-heater short. Repair is free at authorized facilities.
Sterling is recalling 43 2005-2012 vehicles, including the 8500, Acterra, Hdx, M2, and 7500, because the intake air grid heater can short circuit after excessive internal temperatures. A short circuit can cause a vehicle fire and injure occupants, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The intake air grid heater on 2005-2012 Sterling 8500, Acterra, Hdx, M2, and 7500 vehicles is an electric heater in the engine's air intake path. On trucks with the listed MBE900 EPA04 and EPA07 engines, it warms incoming air before startup so the diesel engine has the right air temperature for ignition and early running.
The recall problem is inside that heater. Excessive internal temperatures can damage the heater and cause an electrical short circuit. Once that happens, the grid heater fails instead of doing its normal warm-air job, and the failure is tied to the engine and engine-cooling system named in the recall.
The recall information does not list a dashboard light, noise, smell, or driving symptom for owners to watch for before this heater fails. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans 5 models across the 2005-2012 model years, all listed with the engine component.
| 2005 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2007 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2006 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2005 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2012 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2006 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2011 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2008 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2011 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2006 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2010 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2009 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2005 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2012 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2007 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2007 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2011 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2010 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2009 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2008 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2012 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2005 Sterling Acterra | Engine |
| 2012 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2007 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2008 Thomas Built Buses Hdx | Engine |
| 2006 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2010 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2009 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2010 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2009 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2008 Sterling 8500 | Engine |
| 2011 Sterling 7500 | Engine |
| 2009 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2010 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2008 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2007 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2006 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2012 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| 2005 Freightliner M2 | Engine |
| Units affected | 43 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A short-circuited grid heater can start a vehicle fire and injure occupants. Because the recall involves fire risk, confirm whether your VIN is included and call the dealer for repair timing. Repair will be free at any franchised Sterling dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2012 Sterling 8500, Acterra, Hdx, M2, or 7500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Sterling dealer or Detroit Diesel authorized repair facility for the free repair.
- Ask for the intake-air-grid-heater repair that addresses the short circuit and fire risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V455 when you call.
- Keep the vehicle parked if you smell smoke, see heat damage, or suspect an electrical short, and ask the repair facility about towing before moving it.
What happens at the repair
For recall 11V455, the repair path is through Detroit Diesel Corporation authorized repair facilities. A Sterling technician repairs the affected vehicle free of charge, focused on the MBE900 EPA04 or EPA07 intake air grid heater short-circuit failure described in the recall. The source record does not name the exact replacement part or procedure, so ask the service desk to confirm the repair order before work begins. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 31, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V455?
Recall 11V455 covers 43 2005-2012 Sterling 8500, Acterra, Hdx, M2, and 7500 vehicles equipped with specific MBE900 EPA04 and EPA07 engines. The intake air grid heater can short circuit after excessive internal temperatures. The repair is free through Detroit Diesel authorized repair facilities.
What should I do if my 2005-2012 Sterling 8500, Acterra, Hdx, M2, or 7500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V455. If it is, contact a Sterling service desk or Detroit Diesel authorized repair facility and reference recall number 11V455. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. Repairs for recall 11V455 are performed through Detroit Diesel authorized repair facilities.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. A short-circuited intake air grid heater can result in a vehicle fire and injury to vehicle occupants. If your VIN is included, arrange the free repair and ask the service desk how to handle the vehicle before the appointment.
When were owners notified about recall 11V455?
The safety recall began on September 12, 2011. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included. Reference recall number 11V455 when you call for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V455000 |
|---|---|
| Sterling customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V455 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V455000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →