2011 Pierce CUSTOM CONTENDER: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-08-17 (August 17, 2011)

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 SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2011-11-01 (November 1, 2011)

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 STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE FRONT AXLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2011-11-10 (November 10, 2011)

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 INCORRECTLY, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO ACCIDENTALLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DOOR MAY OPEN WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE TO THE DRIVER.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.