2008 Pierce SABER: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-04-28 (April 28, 2009)

PIERCE MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING 257 MY 2008 EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND OCTOBER 31, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH TRIMARK DOOR LATCHES. THESE LATCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE TRANSVERSE PULL STATIC LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS." THE LATCHES MAY "POP" INTO THE SECONDARY LOCKING POSITION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE DOOR WOULD NOT HAVE PRIMARY CLOSING SECURITY WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO INJURY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Reported: 2009-06-08 (June 8, 2009)

PIERCE IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CUSTOM FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND MAY 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO STEERING ANGLE SENSORS (SAS). INTERNAL FRICTION CAN DEVELOP BETWEEN THE SENSOR GEARS AND THE SENSOR HOUSING AS A RESULT OF EXTERNAL FORCES EXPERIENCED ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING VIBRATION. IF DEVELOPED FRICTION IS GREAT ENOUGH, THE DRIVING TAB OF THE SAS CAN SHEAR AS THE DRIVER TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence: WITH A BROKEN SAS DRIVING TAB, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Reported: 2009-10-06 (October 6, 2009)

PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2008 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB CM2150, ISC CM2150, ISL CM2150, ISM CM876, AND ISX CM871 MODEL DIESEL ENGINES. THE VEHICLES MAY BE DESIGNED WITH A HARD WIRED, DASH-MOUNTED SWITCH THAT ENABLES THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO INHIBIT AFTERTREATMENT DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION IN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES IT MAY BE UNSAFE FOR ELEVATED EXHAUST TEMPERATURES. DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE LOGIC IN THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THESE ENGINES, THE SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY, LEADING THE OPERATOR TO BELIEVE THAT THE SWITCH IS IN "INHIBIT" MODE WHEN IT IS NOT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL PERMIT HOT EXHAUST GASES TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TAILPIPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF MELTING OR BURNING OF NEARBY SURFACES, OR A FIRE.

Remedy: PIERCE IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO REPAIR THE ENGINES. CUMMINS IS CONDUCTING THIS CAMPAIGN AND WILL PROVIDE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CUMMINS RECALL CAMPAIGN 09E-046. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357) OR PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

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.