2009 Pierce ARROW XT: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-06-08 (June 8, 2009)

PIERCE IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CUSTOM FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND MAY 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO STEERING ANGLE SENSORS (SAS). INTERNAL FRICTION CAN DEVELOP BETWEEN THE SENSOR GEARS AND THE SENSOR HOUSING AS A RESULT OF EXTERNAL FORCES EXPERIENCED ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING VIBRATION. IF DEVELOPED FRICTION IS GREAT ENOUGH, THE DRIVING TAB OF THE SAS CAN SHEAR AS THE DRIVER TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence: WITH A BROKEN SAS DRIVING TAB, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2009-08-31 (August 31, 2009)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEMS. THE SENSOR DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL CAN MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PROTECTION SYSTEM.

Consequence: INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR INJURY TO AN OUT OF POSITION OCCUPANT.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2009-10-06 (October 6, 2009)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2008 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB CM2150, ISC CM2150, ISL CM2150, ISM CM876, AND ISX CM871 MODEL DIESEL ENGINES. THE VEHICLES MAY BE DESIGNED WITH A HARD WIRED, DASH-MOUNTED SWITCH THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO INHIBIT AFTERTREATMENT DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION IN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES IT MAY BE UNSAFE FOR ELEVATED EXHAUST TEMPERATURES. DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE LOGIC IN THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THESE ENGINES, THE SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, LEADING THE OPERATOR TO BELIEVE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN "INHIBIT" MODE WHEN IT IS NOT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL PERMIT HOT EXHAUST GASES TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TAILPIPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF MELTING OR BURNING OF NEARBY SURFACES, OR A FIRE.

Remedy: PIERCE IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO REPAIR THE ENGINES. CUMMINS IS CONDUCTING THIS CAMPAIGN AND WILL PROVIDE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CUMMINS RECALL CAMPAIGN 09E-046. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357) OR PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2010-05-07 (May 7, 2010)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 ARROW XT, DASH, LANCE, QUANTUM, AND VELOCITY EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 20, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 60 ENGINES. THE ENGINE MAY SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER OVER TEMPERATURE CONDITION IS DETECTED.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTDOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD HAMPER RESCUE OPERATIONS AND PLACE THE PUBLIC AT RISK.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY DETROIT DIESEL AND DETROIT DIESEL WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE BY REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC TO ILLUMINATE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WITHOUT REQUESTING ENGINE SHUTDOWN. PLEASE SEE DAIMLER TRUCKS' DEFECT REPORT 10E-005. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712 OR PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2010-06-16 (June 16, 2010)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 ARROW XT, QUANTUM, AND VELOCITY EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 11, 2009, THROUGH MAY 20, 2010. THE REAR BRAKE SLACK ADJUSTERS MAY INTERFERE WITH THE AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAIN BRACKETS. THE INTERFERENCE OCCURS AT NEAR FULL STROKE OF THE SLACK ADJUSTERS. DUE TO THE VARYING AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER MOVEMENT, THE SLACK ADJUSTER MAY CONTACT THE TIRE CHAIN BRACKET.

Consequence: IF THIS INTERFERENCE OCCURS, THE BRAKE CAPABILITY MAY BE COMPROMISED AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAIN BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNER MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2010-07-08 (July 8, 2010)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 ARROW XT, DASH, ENFORCER, IMPEL, QUANTUM, AND VELOCITY FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 11, 2006 THROUGH JUNE 16, 2010 AND EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO EX225 REAR DISC BRAKES AND ONSPOT AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAINS. THE MERITOR WABCO EX225 REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPER MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ONSPOT AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAIN BRACKETS. THIS INTERFERENCE MAY RESTRICT THE CALIPER FROM FULL MOVEMENT.

Consequence: IF THIS INTERFERENCE OCCURS, BRAKING PERFORMANCE MAY BE REDUCED WITHOUT WARNING AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAIN BRACKETS. THE NEW BRACKETS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLEARANCE FOR THE FULL ACTUATION OF THE DISC BRAKE CALIPERS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2011-02-14 (February 14, 2011)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 ARROW XT VEHICLES BUILT WITH CATERPILLAR C13 2007 ENGINES. THE THREE UPPER AIR CLEANER BRACKET FASTENERS MAY LOOSEN AND FALL OUT. IF THIS OCCURS THE AIR CLEANER AND BRACKET MAY FALL ONTO THE ENGINE AND START A FIRE.

Consequence: IF AN UNDER CAB FIRE OCCURS, THE ENGINE OPERATION COULD BE AFFECTED AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2011-04-05 (April 5, 2011)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 ARROW XT AND VELOCITY FIRE APPARATUS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 30, 2009, THROUGH MARCH 15, 2011. THE FRONT AXLE OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MICHELIN 365/70R22.5 XZA TIRES INSTALLED ON 12.25 INCH WIDE WHEELS. THESE TIRES REQUIRE 10.5 INCH WIDE WHEELS. THEREFORE, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence: THE WIDER 12.25 INCH WHEEL MAY CAUSE THE TIRE BEAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE RIM. THIS TIRE BEAD SEPARATION CAN CAUSE A TIRE FAILURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW 10.5 INCH WIDE WHEELS AND NEW MICHELIN 365/70R22.5 ZXA TIRES ON THE FRONT AXLE OF THE FIRE APPARATUS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2011-11-01 (November 1, 2011)

PIERCE MANUFACTURING (PIERCE) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 ARROW XTAND VELOCITY, MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 CUSTOM CONTENDER, IMPEL, QUANTUM AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 SABER EMERGENCY TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MODULES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 7, 2011. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: PIERCE IS WORKING WITH MERITOR WABCO AND WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERITOR WABCO AT 1-248-435-8001 OR PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2013-10-22 (October 22, 2013)

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling one model year 2009 Enforcer emergency vehicle and certain model year 2009-2013 Arrow XT, Saber, Velocity, Impel, Quantum, and Commercial vehicles. The trailer connector circuit was wired such that the stop signal overrides the turn signal and the trailer lights do not indicate a turn when brakes are applied.

Consequence: The absence of trailer turn signals may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical harness, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B244.

Reported: 2013-10-22 (October 22, 2013)

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2000-2009 Enforcer and model year 2000-2010 Dash, Lance, and Arrow XT vehicles. While raising or lowering the cab as part of vehicle maintenance, the mounts on which the cab tilt cylinders pivot may fatigue and fail allowing the cab to fall until the safety catch activates.

Consequence: If a person is in the path of the moving cab when a mount fails, the person may be hit by the falling cab, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will affix new safety signs advising the operator to stay clear of the cab while it is being tilted, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B240.

Reported: 2014-10-21 (October 21, 2014)

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pierce Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Velocity, and Arrow XT emergency vehicles manufactured November 11, 2009, to April 23, 2013, and equipped with TAK-4 front independent suspensions. The affected vehicles have front lower control arms that may crack and fracture.

Consequence: If one of the lower control arm fractures, the attached wheel may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the lower control arms, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B257.

Reported: 2017-05-30 (May 30, 2017)

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 1999-2013 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks equipped with the electric All-steer rear steering option. The affected vehicles have rear steer axle shafts that were not properly heat treated.

Consequence: Axle shafts that are not properly heat treated may break and potentially disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear steer axle shafts, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed on July 24, 2017. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2007-2017 Pierce Velocity, Impel, Arrow-XT, Quantum, and Enforcer emergency response vehicles equipped with 75ft aerial devices with a 21 inch or 28 inch limited retraction bracket. The bracket on the aerial device may detach from the aerial and fall to the ground.

Consequence: If the bracket falls, it could strike a person below.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install additional hardware to mount the limited retraction bracket, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2018. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B290.

Reported: 2019-01-02 (January 2, 2019)

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2004-2018 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum and Velocity aerial vehicles. The aerial device may unexpectedly rotate to the right when the ladder is being extended.

Consequence: If the aerial device moves in an unexpected direction, the ladder may contact an object, such as a building or an electrical wire, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the aerial control module, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B295.