2011 Pierce Saber problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (4)
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2013-10-22 · campaign 13V518000 · 349 vehicles
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.
Structure:body:door 2011-11-10 · campaign 11V551000 · 59 vehicles
Defect: PIERCE MANUFACTURING (PIERCE) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005, 2008-2011 ARROW XT, CUSTOM CONTENDER, DASH, ENFORCER, IMPEL, QUANTUM, SABER, AND VELOCITY 75 FOOT HAL (HEAVY ALUMINUM LADDER) FIRE APPARATUS BODIES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 17,2005, THROUGH OCTOBER 13, 2011, THAT MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH DUAL SCBA CYLINDER STORAGE COMPARTMENTS. THESE COMPARTMENTS EXTEND INBOARD HORIZONTALLY FROM THE SIDE OF THE REAR BODY. THE SCBA COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH ORIENTATION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED
Risk: IF THE DOOR OPENS, THE SCBA CYLINDERS MAY FALL OUT OF THE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO THE ROADWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS.
Fix: PIERCE DEALERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND WILL INSTALL A FLAT REINFORCEMENT PLATE THAT SPANS THE LENGTH OF THE SCBA DOOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2011-11-01 · campaign 11V527000 · 724 vehicles
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2011-08-17 · campaign 11V422000 · 18 vehicles
Defect: PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ARROW XT, CUSTOM CONTENDER, DASH CF, IMPEL, SABER, AND VELOCITY EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 24, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 19, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISX, ISC, OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTE
Risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
Fix: PIERCE IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.
Service bulletins (35)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-22 · 74B345 · Service Campaign
pierce has updated our inverter installation policy to require a sub-feed breaker box with inverters that can supply over 2400w (20a @ 120v) in an unprotected output. in alignment with the national electric code (nec), this will ensure that any 15a or 20a inverter load will not exceed the current r
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · PB_799 · Other
pierce is communicating a material change to the ball joint boots used in applicable service kit pn 2742031. this bulletin is intended to help dealer parts and service teams understand the reason for the change and how to identify the new ball joint.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SB_795 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a procedure to update webpage and mqtt certificates in the telematics control unit (tcu) devices of pierce custom chassis apparatus equipped with command zone and with tcu software versions 6.0.8, 6.0.13, 7.4.3, or 8.0.0. apparatus with tcu software versions 7.0.1, 7.0.3, 7.2.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SB_797 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a procedure for comprehensive update of the command zone (cz) telematics control unit (tcu), control module, and display devices in pierce custom chassis apparatus to enable next-generation clearsky intelligence connected solutions capabilities, provide a pathway for future ov
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SB_796 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a procedure to update telematics control unit (tcu) devices in pierce custom chassis apparatus equipped with command zone and with tcu software version 7.4.3. installation of new tcu webpage and mqtt security certificates is accomplished as part of this procedure. this update
Steering 2026-09-08 · PB_793 · Other
the previous bolt-in airbag and steering wheel design are now obsolete and will require replacement if the become damaged. a new clip-in airbag and steering wheel design have been implemented.
Showing the 6 most recent of 35 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.