2016 Pierce Saber

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 8 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes1
012

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights21V222000
Filed Mar 30, 20214 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Enforcer, Freightliner and Saber vehicles equipped with ECCO Holdings Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights. The rear LED lights may be too bright. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will provide a filter kit to be installed in the rear lights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 26, 2021. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.

Equipment18V050000
Filed Jan 11, 2018123 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Quantum, Saber, Velocity, and Commercial emergency vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.

Risk. A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Pierce has notified owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 or Hale Products at 1-800-533-3569. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B287.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly17V570000
Filed Sep 14, 201756 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles, equipped with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.

Risk. If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000.

Power Train › Manual Transmission16V585000
Filed Aug 5, 2016470 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire trucks manufactured June 29, 2015, to June 30, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with certain C20 and C21 split-shaft transmissions from Waterous. This transmission sends power to the wheels of an emergency response vehicle or power to an add-on unit such as a water pump used for fighting fires. A component within the shift unit may be damaged and as a result, the operator may not be able to switch the power output.

Risk. If the power output cannot be changed, once the fire truck arrives at the scene, it may not be able to pump water to aid in extinguishing the fire, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. Piece will notify owners, and dealers will remove the shift unit assembly and replace the clevis pin and retaining rings, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B277.

Equipment16V390000
Filed Jun 1, 2016114 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity emergency vehicles manufactured August 4, 2015, to August 24, 2016, equipped with pumps to provide pressurized water to aid in fighting fires. These pumps have 6" intake strainers that may have been improperly soldered during production and, as a result, the strainers may come apart during use, allowing parts of the strainer and debris to enter the pump, possibly damaging the pump.

Risk. If the strainer and/or debris enters the pump, and the operator is forced to shut down the pump, reducing firefighting effectiveness, there could be an increased risk of injury.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners to check the strainer for missing solder at the joints. Any strainers missing solder will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 or Hale Products Customer Service Center at 1-800-533-3569. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B272.

Electrical System › Wiring16V148000
Filed Mar 10, 2016267 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Enforcer and Saber emergency vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2014, through February 3, 2016. The clamps on the heater hose may have been improperly installed allowing engine coolant to leak into the passenger compartment.

Risk. If coolant leaks into the passenger compartment, it may contact electrical components causing a shorting of circuits and a loss of function of features controlled by those circuits, including loss of power to vehicle which may result in a stall and increase the risk of a crash. The hot coolant may also contact occupants and possibly cause burn injuries.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hose clamp installation. Any improperly installed clamps will be corrected free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B269.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft16V123000
Filed Mar 2, 2016239 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2016 Arrow-XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire and emergency vehicles manufactured October 13, 2015, to February 9, 2016. The fastener cap over the bearing on the universal joint of the drive shaft may have been improperly tightened.

Risk. If the cap was not properly tightened, the cap may detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Additionally, the universal joint may separate and the vehicle may not be able to be driven, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will check and correct the tightness of all bolts for the universal joint caps, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B270.

Power Train › Axle Assembly15V706000
Filed Oct 26, 20155 vehiclesPierce Manufacturing

Defect. Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Velocity, Enforcer, and Saber vehicles manufactured November 20, 2014, to September 29, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with front drive axles whose hex nuts on the flange yoke may not have been properly tightened.

Risk. If the hex nuts are not tightened to specification, the driveshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hex nuts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B266.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesFire2 injured
Filed Mar 28, 201915,030 milesTN

CITY OF DAYTON FIRE-RESCUE FIREFIGHTERS WERE RETURNING FROM A FIRE ALARM WHEN THEY NOTICED A "BURNING WIRES" SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE 2016 PIERCE SABER THEY WERE DRIVING. AS FIREFIGHTERS WERE ATTEMPTING TO FIND A SAFE LOCATION TO STOP THE TRUCK, ALL OF THE CAB AND DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUCK RAPIDLY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE DRIVER/OPERATOR HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP WITH HIS VISION IMPAIRED BY SMOKE. AS FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXITING THE APPARATUS, THE DRIVER/OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL POWER. FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO REMOVE TWO PANELS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH/FLOORBOARD TO EXPOSE THE FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH AN ABC DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER. TWO FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXPOSED TO SMOKE AND TOXIC GASES PRODUCED BY FLAMING COMBUSTION. BOTH WERE EVALUATED ON SCENE AND REFUSED FURTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THAT TIME. THE FLAMES WERE SEEN BEHIND THE CIRCUIT BOARD/FUSE PANEL, BUT THE HEAT WAS CONDUCTED THROUGH THE PANEL CAUSING DAMAGE AND DISCOLORATION TO THE FRONT OF THE BOARD. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION BY A PIERCE CERTIFIED MECHANIC (EVS FIRE APPARATUS) INDICATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL ARCING CAUSED BY A COOLANT LEAK IN THE TRUCK'S HEATER CORE. HE REPORTED THAT THE FLUID HAD PENETRATED THE RELAY CONNECTED TO THE BACK OF THE BOARD THAT CONTROLLED THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS CASE APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAF

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2017
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
20230100Routine
20220100Routine
20210100Routine
20200100Routine
20190100Routine
20180300Routine
20172300Routine
2016 — this page1810Routine
20150800Do not drive
20140200Routine
20130200Routine
20120100Routine
20110400Routine
20100300Routine
20090500Routine
20080400Routine
20070200Routine
20060300Routine
20050300Routine
20040400Routine
20030300Routine
20020200Routine
20010400Routine
20000400Routine
19990300Routine
19980100Routine
19970100Routine
19960100Routine
19950200Routine

Compare every Saber 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: Mar 30, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.