2004 Pierce SABER: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-03-01 (March 1, 2005)

ON CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR URRESKO TIE ROD CLAMPS, HEAT TREATMENT OF CLAMPS CREATED A SURFACE HARDNESS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FRACTURE OF THE CLAMPS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRACK, THE CLAMPS COULD BREAK OFF AFFECTING TOE-IN AND ALIGNMENT. THE TIE ROD CAN COME LOOSE RESULTING IN STEERING LOSS AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: ARVINMERITOR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ARVINMERITOR AT 1-866-668-7221 OR 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: 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: 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.