2007 Pierce Impel problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.