VIN 2FZAAFAL21AH38987 — 2001 Sterling Truck (STERLING T) M5500 Acterra
USDOT 3321921
Vehicle identity
| VIN | 2FZAAFAL21AH38987 |
| Model year | 2001 |
| Make | Sterling Truck (STERLING T) |
| Model | M5500 Acterra |
| Vehicle type | STRAIGHT TRUCK |
| License plate | VA UA47816 (Virginia) |
| Inspection window | 2024-11-18 to 2025-12-03 |
Recorded vehicle, plate and carrier history
These are dated observations in the records available to us. They do not establish ownership, a sale, a transfer date, or continuous use between observations. The latest observation may not describe today’s vehicle or carrier.
| Observed dates | VIN | Plate | Reported carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-03 | 2FZAAFAL21AH38987 | VA UA47816 | USDOT 3321921 |
Evidence: FMCSA inspection observations and retained snapshots of our vehicle records. Coverage is incomplete; an unreported change cannot be dated from these records.
What this means
2FZAAFAL21AH38987 is a 2001 Sterling Truck M5500 Acterra. License plate on its inspection records: VA UA47816. 4 roadside inspections on FMCSA record. No out-of-service violations are recorded for this VIN in the available inspection records. Other violations may still be present.
What this VIN is
2001 Sterling Truck M5500 Acterra is the vehicle NHTSA’s VIN registry returns for 2FZAAFAL21AH38987. It is a truck built by STERLING TRUCKS (DAIMLER DIVISION) at the ST.THOMAS, ONTARIO plant. Powertrain: 3216/CFE engine, 7.2L displacement, running on diesel. Its gross vehicle weight rating (Class 5: 16,001 - 19,500 lb (7,258 - 8,845 kg)) places it in Class 5 medium-duty (16,001–19,500 lb) — larger walk-ins and bucket trucks.
Roadside inspection & out-of-service record
This specific vehicle appears in 4 FMCSA roadside inspections between 2024-11-18 and 2025-12-03. Across those inspections it was never placed out of service. Its most recent inspection (2025-12-03) was in Kentucky, a Level I — full inspection of the driver and the vehicle. Of 2 recorded violations, the most come from Vehicle Maintenance (2). Vehicle Maintenance covers brakes, lights, tires, load securement and other mechanical condition items.
Operator history
Operated by USDOT 3321921 from 2024-11-18 to 2025-12-03 — 4 inspections, none out of service.
Full spec sheet (NHTSA vPIC decode)
| Make | STERLING TRUCK |
| Model | M5500 Acterra |
| Model Year | 2001 |
| Vehicle Type | INCOMPLETE VEHICLE NHTSA’s top-level vehicle category derived from the VIN. |
| Body Class | Truck The body style NHTSA assigns from the VIN — e.g. truck-tractor, straight truck, or cutaway. |
| G V W R | Class 5: 16,001 - 19,500 lb (7,258 - 8,845 kg) Class 5 medium-duty (16,001–19,500 lb) — larger walk-ins and bucket trucks |
| Manufacturer | STERLING TRUCKS (DAIMLER DIVISION) The legal manufacturer of record in NHTSA’s database. |
| Plant City | ST.THOMAS Where the chassis was assembled — useful for verifying the VIN against the build record. |
| Plant State | ONTARIO |
| Plant Country | CANADA |
| Engine Model | 3216/CFE The engine family installed at the factory — a major driver of resale value and parts availability. |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line Cylinder layout (e.g. inline-6), the dominant configuration in Class 8 diesels. |
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement L | 7.2 Engine displacement in liters — bigger generally means more torque for heavy loads. |
| Fuel Type Primary | Diesel Primary fuel — diesel dominates heavy trucking; CNG/electric change maintenance and range. |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic Air vs hydraulic brakes — air brakes are standard on heavy trucks and require an endorsement. |
| Drive Type | 4x2 Axle drive configuration (e.g. 6x4), which affects traction and fuel economy. |
FMCSA BASIC safety category breakdown
| BASIC Category | Violations | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance | 2 | ! Moderate |
| Unsafe Driving | 0 | ✓ Clean |
| Driver Fitness | 0 | ✓ Clean |
| Fatigued Driving (HOS) | 0 | ✓ Clean |
| Controlled Substances | 0 | ✓ Clean |
| Hazmat | 0 | ✓ Clean |
Operator & inspection history
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Frequently Asked Questions
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