2008 Pierce Impel

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electronic stability control (esc). It has been recalled 15 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1
000

15 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Software19V022000
Filed Jan 2, 2019994 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2004-2018 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum and Velocity aerial vehicles. The aerial device may unexpectedly rotate to the right when the ladder is being extended.

Risk. If the aerial device moves in an unexpected direction, the ladder may contact an object, such as a building or an electrical wire, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the aerial control module, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B295.

Structure18V463000
Filed Jul 11, 201817 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2007-2017 Pierce Velocity, Impel, Arrow-XT, Quantum, and Enforcer emergency response vehicles equipped with 75ft aerial devices with a 21 inch or 28 inch limited retraction bracket. The bracket on the aerial device may detach from the aerial and fall to the ground.

Risk. If the bracket falls, it could strike a person below.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install additional hardware to mount the limited retraction bracket, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2018. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B290.

Structure › Body › Door13V214000
Filed May 17, 20132,006 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Velocity, Impel, and Dash CF emergency vehicles manufactured June 6, 2007, through May 31, 2013. The springs in the outer door handles are not of sufficient stiffness to prevent inadvertent door opening in certain impacts. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Risk. In the event of a crash, the weak springs may allow the door to open and possibly fail to contain emergency personnel or equipment, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle spring with a stiffer one, free of charge. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. The recall began on June 28, 2013. Pierce's recall number is 74B242.

Latches/Locks/Linkages13V062000
Filed Feb 25, 20131,275 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Velocity and Impel fire trucks manufactured from June 6, 2007, through October 30, 2010. The springs inside the inner door handles may allow the door to open inadvertently.

Risk. If the door inadvertently opens while the vehicle is in motion, the occupants may fall out and suffer personal injury.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inner door handles, free of charge. The recall began during May 2013. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)11V527000
Filed Nov 1, 2011724 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Steering10V423000
Filed Sep 21, 20102,652 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper10V317000
Filed Jul 8, 201045 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 ARROW XT, DASH, ENFORCER, IMPEL, QUANTUM, AND VELOCITY FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 11, 2006 THROUGH JUNE 16, 2010 AND EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO EX225 REAR DISC BRAKES AND ONSPOT AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAINS. THE MERITOR WABCO EX225 REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPER MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ONSPOT AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAIN BRACKETS. THIS INTERFERENCE MAY RESTRICT THE CALIPER FROM FULL MOVEMENT.

Risk. IF THIS INTERFERENCE OCCURS, BRAKING PERFORMANCE MAY BE REDUCED WITHOUT WARNING AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW AUTOMATIC TIRE CHAIN BRACKETS. THE NEW BRACKETS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CLEARANCE FOR THE FULL ACTUATION OF THE DISC BRAKE CALIPERS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.

Structure › Body › Bumpers10V300000
Filed Jun 28, 201025 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling09V389000
Filed Oct 6, 2009131 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain09V341000
Filed Aug 31, 200928 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEMS. THE SENSOR DESIGNED TO DETECT VEHICLE ROLL CAN MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PROTECTION SYSTEM.

Risk. INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE-ROLL PROTECTION SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH OR INJURY TO AN OUT OF POSITION OCCUPANT.

Remedy. PIERCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-974-3723.

Showing 10 of 15 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 1, 20093,000 milesWA

IN REGARDS TO RECALL 09V-023. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM. THAT IS THAT THE ESC SYSTEM DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT OR FAULT EVEN AFTER THESE SENSORS FAIL. ALSO THAT THE SOFTWARE TO DIAGNOSE THESE SYSTEMS CAN NOT READ WHAT THE SENSORS ARE ACTUALLY DOING OR RECORD ANY PROBLEMS. TWO OF OUR VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED WITH THE COMPANY RECALLING THE SENSORS AFTER THEY BOTH HAD UNEXPECTED BRAKE APPLICATIONS WHEN MAKING A TURN, FORCING THEM INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. AFTER THESE EVENTS WE DROVE THE FIRST TRUCK FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHILE THE SENSOR WAS BROKEN AND COULD NOT TELL THERE WAS A PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE COMPANIES SOFTWARE HOOKED TO THE VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IN THE EVENT THAT THESE COMPONENTS FAILED AGAIN THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD THE ESC SYSTEM BE NEEDED IN A ACTUAL ESC EVENT. HOWEVER ONCE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE SOFTWARE HAS NO ABILITY TO DETERMINE IF AN ESC EVENT ACTIVATED OR IF IT WAS EVEN WORKING AT THE TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A HUGE FLAW IN THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. HOW COULD A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO HELP YOU CONTROL A VEHICLE INDICATE THAT IT WAS WORKING NORMAL WHEN IN REALITY IT COULD NOT RECORD THE POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL OR THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT BEING MOVED EVEN THOUGH TIRE SPEEDS WERE SHOWING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A TURN. *TR

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20250200Routine
20240100Routine
20230200Routine
20220300Routine
20210400Routine
20200600Routine
20190600Routine
20180600Routine
20170600Routine
20160900Routine
20150900Do not drive
20140300Routine
20130700Routine
20120500Routine
20110800Routine
20100900Routine
200901300Routine
2008 — this page11500Routine
200731200Routine
20060500Routine
20050400Routine
20040300Routine
20030200Routine
20020100Routine
20010100Routine
20000100Routine
19990100Routine
19980100Routine

Compare every Impel year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 2, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.