- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2008 Pierce Impel Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2008 Pierce Impel with NHTSA, most often about the driver assistance (1). It is covered by 15 recalls, the latest in January 2019 for the software. For comparison, the 2007 has 3 and the 2009 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Impel year, for its age
#440 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 Pierce Impel problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 Pierce Impel recalls 15
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the bracket falls, it could strike a person below.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the door inadvertently opens while the vehicle is in motion, the occupants may fall out and suffer personal injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Detachment of the steering gear will result in a loss of steering control that could cause a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this interference occurs, braking performance may be reduced without warning and a crash may occur.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Inadvertent deployment of the side-roll protection system could result in a vehicle crash or injury to an out of position occupant.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- With a broken sas driving tab, the electronic stability control (esc) will not function properly, which could possibly result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Pierce is recalling 167 my 2007-2008 velocity and impel fire trucks. A battery box is positioned on both sides of the chassis frame directly under the cab. Cab interference may occur with the positive battery post and the aluminum cab floor substructure.
- The risk
- If metal-to-metal contact were to happen, an electrical arcing between the cab and battery could occur increasing the risk of electrical short circuit and a fire.
- The fix
- Owners will receive a remedy kit along with instructions and should inspect the positive battery posts to make sure the protective caps have not worn away, if contact with the cab has occurred, replace the battery post protective caps. This remedy will be free of charge. The recall began on april 6, 2009. Owners may contact pierce at 1-888-974-3723.
- The problem
- Pierce is recalling 15 my 2007-2008 dash, enforcer, impel, quantum and velocity fire trucks equipped with arvinmeritor rear disc brakes and hendrickson firemaax suspension. Interference with the brake caliper adjuster bolt sleeve and the suspension beam may occur. This interference may occur if the right hand and left hand brake components were assembled on the wrong side of the axle. The adjuster bolt is designed to rotate as the brake pads wear. If the sleeve becomes damaged, the sleeve may prevent the adjuster from rotating.
- The risk
- If the adjuster can not rotate, brake performance may be compromised and a crash may occur.
- The fix
- Dealers will adjust the bolt sleeve and the proper components free of charge. All owners have been notified by arvinmeritor.
- The problem
- Pierce recalled 2 my 2008 impel fire trucks equipped with c7 or c9 caterpillar diesel engines. The fuel pump outlet check plug may be cracked which could cause fuel to spray and leak.
- The risk
- The fuel pump plug may crack causing fuel to leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- The fix
- These vehicles have been repaired. No further action is necessary on this recall.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2008 Pierce Impel
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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...
Read the full complaint
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
Pierce Impel: every year compared
All Impel years2008 Pierce Impel vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Pierce Impel | 1 | 15 | F | |
| 2008 Pierce Arrow XT | 1 | 16 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2008 Pierce Impel
Does the 2008 Pierce Impel have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2008 Pierce Impel: software (January 2019); structure (July 2018); door (May 2013); latches / locks / linkages (February 2013) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pierce Impel?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the driver assistance (1).
How many complaints has the 2008 Pierce Impel had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 1, 2009 and the latest on September 1, 2009. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 Pierce Impel a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 20 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Pierce Impel year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Pierce Impel years have the most complaints?
2007 (3), 2008 (1). See every Pierce Impel year compared.
What should I do if my 2008 Pierce Impel has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data