The 2008 Sterling Bullet has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,010 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16V8800002016-12-07235 affected
Defect
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500 cab chassis vehicles manufactured November 1, 2007, to November 7, 2008. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may develop a short circuit.
Consequence
If the alternator develops a short circuit, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and DTNA dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-729.
AIR BAGS15V3610002015-06-102,601 affected
Defect
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500 trucks manufactured October 15, 2007, to November 10, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the driver or other occupants.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-684.
STEERING13V6050002013-11-292,564 affected
Defect
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet trucks manufactured October 15, 2007, through November 10, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the left outer tie rod ball stud may fracture.
Consequence
A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tie rod assembly with a redesigned assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2015. Customers may contact DTNA at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-655.
STEERING11V1930002011-03-232,564 affected
Defect
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 STERLING BULLET VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2007, THROUGH NOVEMBER 10, 2008. THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END MAY FRACTURE DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT CONDITION. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE MISALIGNMENT MAY LEAD TO A WEAKENING AND EVENTUAL…
Consequence
A FRACTURED TIE ROD END COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL STEERING STABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH A TWO PART LETTER REGARDING THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO INFORM OWNERS THAT THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD END WILL BE REPLACED WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING09V0740002009-03-0646 affected
Defect
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 STERLING BULLET TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DASH SILENCER PAD THAT COULD SAG AND COME IN CONTACT WITH AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD A BRACKET TO SUPPORT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SILENCER PAD ADJACENT TO THE EGR COOLER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
1
Total complaints1
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 sterling bullet. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v418000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Sterling Bullet as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.