2009 Pierce Velocity 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 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

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 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 STAB

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

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

Fix: 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.