Recall 16V418 affects 2,601 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500 and Bullet 4500 vehicles for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Sterling dealer.
Sterling is recalling 2,601 2008-2009 Bullet 5500 and Bullet 4500 chassis cab vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture after propellant degradation from long-term heat, humidity, and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death, and Sterling dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator on 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500 and Bullet 4500 trucks is part of the passenger-side air bag module. In a crash, the inflator is supposed to create gas fast enough to fill the air bag and cushion the passenger. The metal inflator body is supposed to stay contained inside the module during that deployment.
On affected trucks in NHTSA campaign 16V418, the Takata inflator propellant degrades after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling. That degraded propellant changes how the inflator behaves during deployment. Instead of deploying as designed, the inflator can rupture because pressure builds in the wrong way inside the inflator body.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the passenger air bag inflator, so the truck can look and drive normally before the air bag is ever called on in a crash.
Who's affected?
Covers both Bullet truck classes across the 2008 and 2009 model years, with the same passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2009 Sterling Bullet 5500 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 | front air bag |
| 2008 Sterling Bullet 4500 | front air bag |
| 2008 Sterling Bullet 5500 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 2,601 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator rupture puts occupants at risk of being struck by metal fragments, with serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, treat this as a serious air bag recall and schedule the passenger frontal inflator replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Sterling dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500 or Bullet 4500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Sterling dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement that addresses the rupture risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Sterling mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V418 when you call.
- Call Sterling customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with questions and reference Sterling recall FL-714.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Sterling technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator in the affected air bag module. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free at an authorized service facility. The service desk can confirm that the vehicle is covered by campaign 16V418 before the work starts and can explain any appointment or parts timing for that shop.
Timeline
| June 9, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 1, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 1, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 12, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V418?
Recall 16V418 covers 2,601 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500 and Bullet 4500 chassis cab vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can rupture after propellant degradation. Sterling dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500 or Bullet 4500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis cab is included in recall 16V418. If it is, contact a Sterling dealer or call Sterling customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Ask for the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement and reference recall number 16V418.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Sterling dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge under recall 16V418.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is metal fragments striking people inside the vehicle if the passenger frontal air bag inflator ruptures. NHTSA campaign 16V418 states that an inflator rupture can result in serious injury or death. The remedy is replacement of the passenger frontal air bag inflator.
What if I bought my Sterling Bullet used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN, then give the dealer recall number 16V418 when scheduling the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V418000 |
|---|---|
| Sterling customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V418 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V418000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →