2008 Sterling Bullet: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2008 Sterling Bullet
Only 1 defect report has been filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Sterling Bullet, which is too few to compute mileage percentiles or a risk score. The report reported airbag inflator rupture.
When each failure gets reported
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.8 | $0–$0 | Critical |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
Recalls on the 2008 model year
NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Sterling Bullet, affecting an estimated 4,027 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module and steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
235 vehicles 2016-12-07- 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 BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2,601 vehicles 2015-06-10- 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 cause the inflator to rupture.
- 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
2,564 vehicles 2013-11-29- 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
2,564 vehicles 2011-03-23- 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 fracture of the left outer tie rod ball stud.
- 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 trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
46 vehicles 2009-03-06- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
Every year of the Sterling Bullet
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
What the reports on file say
The complaints recorded against the 2008 Sterling Bullet are airbag inflator rupture (1 report). With a sample this size these are anecdotes rather than a pattern, and they are shown because somebody looking at this exact car would rather see them than nothing.
Why this page is short
A model year needs about 8 reports before percentiles mean anything, and this one does not have them. Complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road, so a thin page usually means a rare car, a new car, or a car whose owners do not file.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed