2016 Pierce Arrow Xt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (2) · Tires:tread/Belt (1)
Safety recalls (14)
Electrical System:software 2026-04-06 · campaign 26V217000 · 674 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2026 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, and Velocity 107’ ladder and 110’ platform aerial firetrucks equipped with a single rear axle. The firm-on-ground system light may remain illuminated after the rear stabilizer loses contact with the ground.
Risk: A false firm-on-ground indicator light may lead to using the aerial device when the vehicle may shift during aerial operation, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Pierce will provide instructions on how to update the vehicle software and perform an aerial device functional check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2026. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Structure:critical Fasteners 2022-10-27 · campaign 22V809000 · 299 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2010-2022 Pierce Velocity, Enforcer, Arrow XT, Quantum, and Dash CF fire trucks. Stokes basket mounting brackets may be insufficiently welded.
Risk: The left and/or right brackets can fail, allowing the stokes basket to fall and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Pierce will replace the stokes basket mounting brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Pierce's customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B323.
Fuel System, Diesel:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2022-01-26 · campaign 22V032000 · 243 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.
Risk: A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: On engines with 75 miles or less, dealers will install vibration isolators to the fuel tubes. Engines with more than 75 miles will receive new fuel tubes with vibration isolators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owners may contact Pierce's customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Electrical System:software 2019-01-02 · campaign 19V022000 · 994 vehicles
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.
Structure 2018-07-11 · campaign 18V463000 · 17 vehicles
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.
Equipment 2018-01-11 · campaign 18V050000 · 123 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Quantum, Saber, Velocity, and Commercial emergency vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.
Risk: A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Pierce has notified owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 or Hale Products at 1-800-533-3569. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B287.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2017-09-14 · campaign 17V570000 · 56 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles, equipped with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
Risk: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000.
Equipment 2017-07-18 · campaign 17V455000 · 65 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, and Velocity fire trucks equipped with Hale Pump Interlock Module Kits. The Hale interlock pressure switch can fail after prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures, preventing the fire truck water pump from operating.
Risk: If the fire truck cannot pump water during a fire emergency, there would be an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and Hale Products dealers will replace the interlock modules, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569 or Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B281.
Suspension 2017-05-31 · campaign 17V349000 · 29 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2012-2017 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Quantum, and Velocity fire trucks equipped with the T3 rear steer option. The affected vehicles have a rear sway bar that may detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the sway bar detaches, the vehicle may sway more during steering maneuvers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace and properly torque the sway bar fasteners, free of charge. The recall began on July 11, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Power Train:manual Transmission 2016-08-05 · campaign 16V585000 · 470 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire trucks manufactured June 29, 2015, to June 30, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with certain C20 and C21 split-shaft transmissions from Waterous. This transmission sends power to the wheels of an emergency response vehicle or power to an add-on unit such as a water pump used for fighting fires. A component within the shift unit may be damaged and a
Risk: If the power output cannot be changed, once the fire truck arrives at the scene, it may not be able to pump water to aid in extinguishing the fire, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Piece will notify owners, and dealers will remove the shift unit assembly and replace the clevis pin and retaining rings, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B277.
Equipment 2016-06-01 · campaign 16V390000 · 114 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity emergency vehicles manufactured August 4, 2015, to August 24, 2016, equipped with pumps to provide pressurized water to aid in fighting fires. These pumps have 6" intake strainers that may have been improperly soldered during production and, as a result, the strainers may come apart during use, allowing parts of the strainer and debris to enter the pump, possibly damag
Risk: If the strainer and/or debris enters the pump, and the operator is forced to shut down the pump, reducing firefighting effectiveness, there could be an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners to check the strainer for missing solder at the joints. Any strainers missing solder will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 or Hale Products Customer Service Center at 1-800-533-3569. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B272.
Equipment 2016-04-01 · campaign 16V186000 · 36 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Arrow-XT, Quantum, and Velocity vehicles manufactured from October 30, 2010, through January 24, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Pelican 9410L flashlights, part number 9410-021-245 or 9410-021-110, with lithium ion battery packs which may overheat.
Risk: If the flashlight battery pack overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners and instruct them to inspect the flashlight and battery pack, and if necessary, to request a replacement battery pack from Pelican Products, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000. Pierce's recall number for this campaign is 74B271.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2016-03-02 · campaign 16V123000 · 239 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2016 Arrow-XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire and emergency vehicles manufactured October 13, 2015, to February 9, 2016. The fastener cap over the bearing on the universal joint of the drive shaft may have been improperly tightened.
Risk: If the cap was not properly tightened, the cap may detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Additionally, the universal joint may separate and the vehicle may not be able to be driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will check and correct the tightness of all bolts for the universal joint caps, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B270.
Power Train:axle Assembly 2015-10-26 · campaign 15V706000 · 5 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Velocity, Enforcer, and Saber vehicles manufactured November 20, 2014, to September 29, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with front drive axles whose hex nuts on the flange yoke may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: If the hex nuts are not tightened to specification, the driveshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hex nuts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B266.
Service bulletins (39)
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 39 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-01-19 · Tires:tread/Belt“the center portion of the tire tread is separating from the tire bed. the tire was mounted on a 2016 pierce aerial fire truck in the left rear inner position .the discrepancy was found on a pre trip inspection for a test drive. we have consulted with a tire consultant ( tennent, winkelman and associates) and believe that the rubber components are n…”
2022-08-25 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“while working at the scene of a residential structure fire, the pierce aerial ladder was extended with three firefighters on the platform conducting ventilation operations. during the operation fire conditions rapidly changed engulfing the platform in fire. a crew member on the platform engaged the control pulling it down to raise the aerial device…”
2018-06-12 · Unknown Or Other · 8,850 mi“while operating on an incident , pat708 was in the process of extending when the ladder swung to the right without any rotation control being used. the unexpected rotation was approx. 10' to the right. this happened one additional time on the same incident with the same variables in place. this unit was oos last week for the same problem with no ob…”
2018-06-12 · Unknown Or Other · 11,500 mi“vehicle parked, jacking system down as required for aerial operation, aerial being operated from the platform bucket, made an uncontrolled movement to the right after being rotated left, then being extended. aerial made an abrupt rotation to the right uncontrolled and struck a flagpole. ## vin passed ## pierce arrow xt 2016 100' aerial platform …”
2018-06-12 · Unknown Or Other · 9,700 mi“unit was being used by the "aerial apparatus operator class" at the academy. instructor stated that the ladder was being operated from the bucket while slightly extended and at approximately a 35 degree angle. instructor stated that the ladder was being rotated to the right and when the rotation control was released, the ladder continued to rotate …”
2018-06-12 · Unknown Or Other · 8,700 mi“during a drivers training test the aerial was being extended in slow mode, with out warning the aerial swung 30 feet to the right at fast rate of speed. during the event no contact was made with the right/left rotation control. the aerial was taken out of service as a safety concern. after extensive testing at cmf, the problem could not be duplicat…”
2017-07-12 · Suspension · 3,244 mi“bolts that hold sway bar to suspension have come loose for the second time. dealer came on site the first time and replaced the hardware. we have the bolts from the first repair.…”
2017-07-12 · Suspension · 4,117 mi“bolts securing sway bar to suspension coming loose again (second time). replaced hardware and torqued. dealer performed first repair. we have hardware here from first repair.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.