2003 Pierce DASH: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-03-04 (March 4, 2005)

CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, 'SEATING SYSTEMS.' THE SEAT TETHER RESTRAINS THE SEAT DURING PULL TESTING AS THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO RESTRAIN THE SEAT ON THEIR OWN. THE SUSPENSION SEAT TETHERS ARE TOO LONG.

Consequence: THE OCCUPANT WILL EXPERIENCE INSUFFICIENT SUSPENSION SEAT RESTRAINT WHICH COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE SUSPENSION SEAT TETHERS WITH SHORTER TETHERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2005-08-10 (August 10, 2005)

CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS WITH COMMAND CABS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207,"SEATING SYSTEMS." THE RESCUE BODY OFFERINGS DO NOT MEET THE PULL TEST REQUIREMENTS. THE PEDESTAL SEAT WAS MOUNTED BY DRILLING AND TAPPING THE CAB OR BODY FLOOR.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PEDESTAL SEAT FASTENERS COULD FAIL TO RESTRAIN THE SEAT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT PEDESTALS. IF THE SEAT WAS MOUNTED WITH TAPPED FASTENERS, THE FASTENERS WILL BE REMOVED AND A HOLE WILL BE DRILLED TO REPLACE THE MOUNTING FASTENERS WITH 7/16" BOLTS AND NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 920-832-3249.

Reported: 2005-08-10 (August 10, 2005)

ON CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS, INTERFERENCE MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE AERIAL FRONT AXLE INTERLOCK SENSOR BRACKET AND THE FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING FULL TURN STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION JOUNCE COMPRESSION.

Consequence: THIS INTERFERENCE MAY CAUSE CHAFING LEADING TO A POTENTIAL FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE FAILURE. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE, LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING WILL OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FRONT AXLE INTERLOCK SENSOR BRACKET AND INSTALL A NEW BRACKET IN A NEW LOCATION AVOIDING THE FRONT AXLE BRAKE HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 920-832-3249.

Reported: 2010-06-28 (June 28, 2010)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2010-09-21 (September 21, 2010)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2008 ARROW XT, LANCE, VELOCITY, ENFORCER, IMPEL, AND DASH CUSTOM FIRE APPARATUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 30, 1998 THROUGH NOVEMBER 25, 2008. THE STEERING GEAR BRACKET MAY FRACTURE AND BREAK. IF THIS OCCURS THE STEERING GEAR MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: DETACHMENT OF THE STEERING GEAR WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR BRACKET PRIOR TO EACH TRIP. THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NO EARLIER THE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2011-04-26 (April 26, 2011)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2008 ARROW XT, DASH, LANCE, AND ENFORCER FIRE APPARATUS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 22, 1999, THROUGH MAY 12, 2008, AND EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER REPEATED USE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY BEND AND CAUSE THE PEDAL TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE FLOOR. IF THE PEDAL ARM BENDS FAR ENOUGH, THE PEDAL MAY CONTACT THE CAB FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING AND STICK IN THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION.

Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES STUCK, THE OPERATOR MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING ACCELERATOR ARM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PEDAL ARM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2011-07-26 (July 26, 2011)

PIERCE HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-2008 ARROW XT, DASH, CUSTOM CONTENDER, LANCE, ENFORCER, PIERCE ARROW, QUANTUM, SABER AND COMMERCIAL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 1995, THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2008, CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FUEL TANK STRAPS THAT MAY CORRODE DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT OR LIQUID DE-ICING CHEMICALS. IF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODE SUFFICIENTLY, THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTING STRAPS MAY FRACTURE AND THE FUEL TANK MAY FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: THE VEHICLES MAY LOSE POWER AND STALL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK MAY RUPTURE AND SPILL DIESEL FUEL ON THE ROADWAY. EITHER OF THESE OUTCOMES MAY CAUSE A FIRE TRUCK OR SURROUNDING VEHICLES TO SLIP OR SLIDE ON THE ROADWAY SURFACE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FOR FIRE TRUCKS THAT ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY WITH STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE. FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, PIERCE IS NOT OFFERING A FREE REMEDY, BUT WILL OFFER FOR PURCHASE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS STRAPS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2013-10-22 (October 22, 2013)

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2000-2009 Enforcer and model year 2000-2010 Dash, Lance, and Arrow XT vehicles. While raising or lowering the cab as part of vehicle maintenance, the mounts on which the cab tilt cylinders pivot may fatigue and fail allowing the cab to fall until the safety catch activates.

Consequence: If a person is in the path of the moving cab when a mount fails, the person may be hit by the falling cab, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will affix new safety signs advising the operator to stay clear of the cab while it is being tilted, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B240.

Reported: 2017-05-30 (May 30, 2017)

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.

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

Remedy: 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.