2006 Sterling LT 8500 Recall: Suspension
NHTSA campaign 08V081000 · Suspension · filed Feb 25, 2008 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
ZIMMERMAN IS RECALLING 1 MY 2006 STERLING LT 8500 EQUIPPED WITH A WATSON & CHALIN AUXILIARY AXLE. THE LOWER CAST ARMS COULD FRACTURE WHICH COULD AFFECT THE SUSPENSION'S ABILITY TO LIFT THE AXLE WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED.
The risk
WARNINGS OF A SITUATION WHERE ONE SIDE OF THE UNIT DOES NOT LIFT AS MUCH AS THE OTHER SIDE, A VERTICAL VIBRATION OR ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE SUSPENSION COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
WATSON & CHALIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE REPAIR KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WATSON & CHALIN MANUFACTURING AT 1-800-445-0736 OR ZIMMERMAN INDUSTRIES AT 888-577-6499.
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
Other campaigns involving Sterling vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 08V081000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.