2001 Pierce SABER: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2001-12-11 (December 11, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES. THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.

Consequence: IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE PEDALS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2001-12-13 (December 13, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCK CHASSIS WITH CATERPILLAR 3126 ENGINES. THE ALTERNATOR CABLE WAS ROUTED OVER THE TOP OF THE ALTERNATOR, AND IN SOME CASES, ALLOWED THE CABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH AND WEAR ON STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE ENGINE ENCLOSURE.

Consequence: THIS COULD WEAR A HOLE THROUGH THE INSULATION CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND POSSIBLY AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE ALTERNATOR CABLE ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD 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.