2001 Pierce QUANTUM: complaints, problems and recalls

AS A SERGEANT WITH THE MASS STATE POLICE RECONSTRUCTION TEAM WITH A BSME DEGREE, I'M INVESTIGATING AN INCIDENT WHEREAS A PIERCE FIRE TRUCK ROLLEDOVER @ 30 MPH WHILE TRAVELING ON A FLAT, LEVEL, AND STRAIGHT ROADWAY. EVERYTHING POINT TO A OSHKOSH ALL STEER MALIFUNCTION. PIERCE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSE BY UNEVEN BRAKING, I (AS AN ENGINEER) SAY NO. ALL EVIDENCE POINTS TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR STEER AXLE. I CAN BE REACHED AT MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE C.A.R.S. UNIT[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10341115 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-03-04 (March 4, 2005)

CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, 'SEATING SYSTEMS.' THE SEAT TETHER RESTRAINS THE SEAT DURING PULL TESTING AS THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO RESTRAIN THE SEAT ON THEIR OWN. THE SUSPENSION SEAT TETHERS ARE TOO LONG.

Consequence: THE OCCUPANT WILL EXPERIENCE INSUFFICIENT SUSPENSION SEAT RESTRAINT WHICH COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE SUSPENSION SEAT TETHERS WITH SHORTER TETHERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2005-08-10 (August 10, 2005)

CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS WITH COMMAND CABS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207,"SEATING SYSTEMS." THE RESCUE BODY OFFERINGS DO NOT MEET THE PULL TEST REQUIREMENTS. THE PEDESTAL SEAT WAS MOUNTED BY DRILLING AND TAPPING THE CAB OR BODY FLOOR.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PEDESTAL SEAT FASTENERS COULD FAIL TO RESTRAIN THE SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT PEDESTALS. IF THE SEAT WAS MOUNTED WITH TAPPED FASTENERS, THE FASTENERS WILL BE REMOVED AND A HOLE WILL BE DRILLED TO REPLACE THE MOUNTING FASTENERS WITH 7/16" BOLTS AND NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 920-832-3249.

Reported: 2011-07-26 (July 26, 2011)

PIERCE HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-2008 ARROW XT, DASH, CUSTOM CONTENDER, LANCE, ENFORCER, PIERCE ARROW, QUANTUM, SABER AND COMMERCIAL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 1995, THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2008, CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FUEL TANK STRAPS THAT MAY CORRODE DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT OR LIQUID DE-ICING CHEMICALS. IF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODE SUFFICIENTLY, THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTING STRAPS MAY FRACTURE AND THE FUEL TANK MAY FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: THE VEHICLES MAY LOSE POWER AND STALL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK MAY RUPTURE AND SPILL DIESEL FUEL ON THE ROADWAY. EITHER OF THESE OUTCOMES MAY CAUSE A FIRE TRUCK OR SURROUNDING VEHICLES TO SLIP OR SLIDE ON THE ROADWAY SURFACE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FOR FIRE TRUCKS THAT ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY WITH STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE. FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, PIERCE IS NOT OFFERING A FREE REMEDY, BUT WILL OFFER FOR PURCHASE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS STRAPS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

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.