2017 Pierce Saber problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (2)
Safety recalls (3)
Fuel System, Diesel:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2021-05-26 · campaign 21V394000 · 2,416 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed to owners on June 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2021-03-30 · campaign 21V222000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Enforcer, Freightliner and Saber vehicles equipped with ECCO Holdings Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights. The rear LED lights may be too bright. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will provide a filter kit to be installed in the rear lights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 26, 2021. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2018-10-26 · campaign 18V756000 · 717 vehicles
Defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Pierce Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, Velocity, and Commercial vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Pierce will notify owners, and Whelen will inspect the vehicles and replace the brake lights, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Service bulletins (38)
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 38 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-08-13 · Engine · 29,549 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 pierce fire truck. the contact stated that the vehicle produced poor def fault codes in the def fluid sensor, which caused the vehicle to decelerate. the manufacturer was contacted and sent new def tank headers that were installed at the fire station. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mi…”
2019-08-13 · Engine · 29,549 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 (na) pierce saber 2017 fire truck. the contact stated that the vehicle produced poor def fluid quality in the def fluid sensor, which caused the vehicle to derate. the manufacturer was contacted and sent new def tank headers that were installed at the fire station experiencing multiple repeat failures in 6 trucks all 201…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.