2007 Pierce IMPEL: complaints, problems and recalls

THE DRIVER OF THE FIRE TRUCK REPORTED THAT THE TRUCK WAS NOT STEERING CORRECTLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT TO MARTIN COUNTY FIRE RESCUE FLEET SERVICES SHOP. IT WAS CONFIRMED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TAK4 STEERING SYSTEM, BALL JOINTS. THE BALL JOINTS WERE REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK AND FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINT LUBE FOR LIFE COATING WAS BREAKING AWAY FROM THE BALL JOINT CAPS, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE BALL JOINT, GOUGES IN THE METAL ON THE BALL JOINT, AND ONE BALL JOINT WAS TURNING INSIDE THE CONTROL ARM INSTEAD OF ITS OWN…

Owner-reported narrative. 91,222 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671053 at NHTSA ↗

3/7/15, THIS FIRE TRUCK HAD STEERING ISSUES. THE CREW WAS RETURNING FROM A FIRE CALL. THE CREW CALLED THE ON-CALL TECHNICIAN AND REPORTED THE TRUCK WAS HARD TO DRIVE, HARD TO CONTROL, AND NOT SAFE. THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE AND AGREED WITH THE DRIVER. THE ILL STEERING TRUCK WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. (HISTORY WITH THIS TRUCK, BALL JOINTS WERE INSPECTED ON MONTH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE BALL JOINTS WERE INSPECTED WITH A PIERCE TECHNICIAN, IT WAS FOUND THAT TWO BALL JOINTS WERE JUST OUT OF SPEC. THE TRUCK WAS LEFT IN SERVICE AFTER DISCUSSING TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 111,136 miles reported. Look up ODI 10703171 at NHTSA ↗

REF: NHTSA #15V615000 VOQ #10671053 1/8/15 WE FILED A COMPLAINT THAT OUR '07 PIERCE IMPEL FIRE TRUCK HAD A STEERING ISSUE, OPERATOR DID NOT FEEL IN CONTROL, AND MECHANICS FOUND BALL JOINTS FAILED. THERE IS A 910 PIERCE FIRE TRUCK RECALL THAT REFERENCE OUR COMPLAINT. THE RECALL COVERS 06/07 ARROW, QUANTUM, DASH, LANCE, AND ENFORCER. HOW CAN WE FILE THE COMPLAINT ON A PIERCE IMPEL, SEND FAILED BALL JOINTS, AND THEN NOT HAVE THE COMPLAINT TRUCK COVERED IN THE RECALL? WE SENT FAILED BALL JOINTS TO NHTSA. MOST OF THE BALL JOINTS SENT DID NOT HAV…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10806685 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-01-15 (January 15, 2008)

ON CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING GEARS, MODELS TAS85 AND RCS85, THESE STEERING GEARS CONTAIN POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE SECTOR SHAFTS WITH AN INCORRECT GEAR TOOTH WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE RACK-PISTON TEETH, RESULTING IN A STICK OR BIND CONDITION.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE STEERING GEAR TO STALL AND RESTRICT THE STEERING TURNING ANGLE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: PIERCE IS WORKING WITH TRW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR (PLEASE SEE 07E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2008. OWNERS ONTACT TRW AT 765-429-1768 OR PIERCE AT 920-832-3249.

Reported: 2008-11-18 (November 18, 2008)

PIERCE IS RECALLING 15 MY 2007-2008 DASH, ENFORCER, IMPEL, QUANTUM AND VELOCITY FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR REAR DISC BRAKES AND HENDRICKSON FIREMAAX SUSPENSION. INTERFERENCE WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER ADJUSTER BOLT SLEEVE AND THE SUSPENSION BEAM MAY OCCUR. THIS INTERFERENCE MAY OCCUR IF THE RIGHT HAND AND LEFT HAND BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE AXLE. THE ADJUSTER BOLT IS DESIGNED TO ROTATE AS THE BRAKE PADS WEAR. IF THE SLEEVE BECOMES DAMAGED, THE SLEEVE MAY PREVENT THE ADJUSTER FROM ROTATING.

Consequence: IF THE ADJUSTER CAN NOT ROTATE, BRAKE PERFORMANCE MAY BE COMPROMISED AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE BOLT SLEEVE AND THE PROPER COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. ALL OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY ARVINMERITOR.

Reported: 2009-04-01 (April 1, 2009)

PIERCE IS RECALLING 167 MY 2007-2008 VELOCITY AND IMPEL FIRE TRUCKS. A BATTERY BOX IS POSITIONED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CHASSIS FRAME DIRECTLY UNDER THE CAB. CAB INTERFERENCE MAY OCCUR WITH THE POSITIVE BATTERY POST AND THE ALUMINUM CAB FLOOR SUBSTRUCTURE.

Consequence: IF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT WERE TO HAPPEN, AN ELECTRICAL ARCING BETWEEN THE CAB AND BATTERY COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND A FIRE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A REMEDY KIT ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND SHOULD INSPECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY POSTS TO MAKE SURE THE PROTECTIVE CAPS HAVE NOT WORN AWAY, IF CONTACT WITH THE CAB HAS OCCURRED, REPLACE THE BATTERY POST PROTECTIVE CAPS. THIS REMEDY WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

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: 2010-06-28 (June 28, 2010)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2009 CUSTOM CONTENDER, DASH, ENFORCER, IMPEL, LANCE SABER, AND VELOCITY FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 27, 2009. THESE TRUCKS MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH DROP-DOWN FIRE HOSE TRAYS MOUNTED UNDER THE FRONT BUMPER. THE HOSE TRAY LATCH MAY ACCIDENTALLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS THE FIRE HOSE MAY DROP TO THE ROADWAY WITHOUT WARNING. POTENTIAL INJURY TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY MAY OCCUR. THE SUDDEN HOSE DEPLOYMENT MAY ALSO DISTRACT DRIVERS TRYING TO AVOID THE HOSE AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: A NEW AND IMPROVED LATCH DESIGN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND A NEW HOSE BOX INCORPORATING THE NEW LATCH WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 4, 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: 2010-09-21 (September 21, 2010)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2008 ARROW XT, LANCE, VELOCITY, ENFORCER, IMPEL, AND DASH CUSTOM FIRE APPARATUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 30, 1998 THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2008. THE STEERING GEAR BRACKET MAY FRACTURE AND BREAK. IF THIS OCCURS THE STEERING GEAR MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: DETACHMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR BRACKET PRIOR TO EACH TRIP. THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NO EARLIER THE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2013-02-25 (February 25, 2013)

Pierce is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Velocity and Impel fire trucks manufactured from June 6, 2007, through October 30, 2010. The springs inside the inner door handles may allow the door to open inadvertently.

Consequence: If the door inadvertently opens while the vehicle is in motion, the occupants may fall out and suffer personal injury.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inner door handles, free of charge. The recall began during May 2013. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2013-05-17 (May 17, 2013)

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Velocity, Impel, and Dash CF emergency vehicles manufactured June 6, 2007, through May 31, 2013. The springs in the outer door handles are not of sufficient stiffness to prevent inadvertent door opening in certain impacts. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the weak springs may allow the door to open and possibly fail to contain emergency personnel or equipment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle spring with a stiffer one, free of charge. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. The recall began on June 28, 2013. Pierce's recall number is 74B242.

Reported: 2015-10-01 (October 1, 2015)

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Lance, Impel, and Quantum vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007. In the affected vehicles, tears in the ball joint protective boots may result in contamination of the ball joints.

Consequence: The contamination may cause premature ball joint failure and the wheel to disengage from the control arm, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles for torn ball joint boots. Pierce will also evaluate the ball joint wear. Ball joints with an unexpected level of wear will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B267.

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.