Recall 15V361 affects 2,601 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet trucks for driver air bag inflators that can rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Sterling dealer.
Sterling is recalling 2,601 2008-2009 Bullet 4500 and 5500 trucks under recall 15V361 because the driver's frontal air bag inflator can take in moisture and rupture during deployment. In a crash, metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, and Sterling dealers will replace the air bag inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag in the 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet is built into the steering wheel and is meant to protect the driver in a crash. Its inflator is the metal canister that fills the air bag during deployment. This recall involves a dual-stage inflator, which adjusts deployment force for the crash conditions.
On affected Bullet trucks, moisture can get into the Takata driver-side inflator. That moisture changes the inflator material as the truck ages. During an air bag deployment, the altered material can burn too aggressively, creating too much pressure inside the inflator. The inflator body can rupture instead of directing gas only into the air bag.
There is no warning sign before failure. The truck can start, drive, and show no air bag warning light before the inflator ruptures during deployment.
Who's affected?
| 2009 Sterling Bullet | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2008 Sterling Bullet | front air bag |
| Units affected | 2,601 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon and keep air bag service current. Repair is free at any franchised Sterling dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Sterling dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag replacement.
- Ask the dealer to replace the frontal air bag module that removes the moisture-related inflator rupture risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 15V361 and Sterling recall FL-684 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep occupants away from the driver's air bag area during service work.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Sterling technician replaces the driver's frontal air bag covered by recall 15V361. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Because the reimbursement plan is on file, owners who already paid out of pocket for a related driver air bag repair can ask Sterling to review documented expenses under that plan. Bring repair invoices, payment records, and any diagnosis paperwork to the service desk so the dealer can tell you how the claim is handled.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 10, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 8, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| August 8, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 8, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V361?
Recall 15V361 covers 2,601 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500 trucks with a driver frontal air bag inflator that is susceptible to moisture intrusion. Over time, the inflator can rupture during deployment. Sterling dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V361. If it is, contact a franchised Sterling dealer to schedule replacement of the driver's frontal air bag. Reference recall number 15V361 when you call, and use 1-800-745-8000 for customer service help.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 15V361, the dealer replaces the driver's frontal air bag free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is serious injury during a crash that requires driver air bag deployment. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants. The repair path is replacement of the driver's frontal air bag at a franchised Sterling dealer.
What if I bought my Sterling Bullet used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet is included, then reference recall 15V361 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V361000 |
|---|---|
| Sterling customer service | 1-800-745-8000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V361 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V361000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →