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Vehicle safety record

2009 Pierce Impel Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2009 Pierce Impel have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 13 recalls, the latest in January 2019 for the software.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Impel year, for its age

Complaints
0
Recalls
13
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

2009 Pierce Impel recalls 13

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

Electrical system: software

19V022000994 vehicles affected

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.

Structure

18V46300017 vehicles affected

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.

Suspension: lower arm

14V660000135 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pierce Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Velocity, and Arrow XT emergency vehicles manufactured November 11, 2009, to April 23, 2013, and equipped with TAK-4 front independent suspensions. The affected vehicles have front lower control arms that may crack and fracture.
The risk
If one of the lower control arm fractures, the attached wheel may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the lower control arms, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B257.

Electrical system

13V518000349 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling one model year 2009 Enforcer emergency vehicle and certain model year 2009-2013 Arrow XT, Saber, Velocity, Impel, Quantum, and Commercial vehicles. The trailer connector circuit was wired such that the stop signal overrides the turn signal and the trailer lights do not indicate a turn when brakes are applied.
The risk
The absence of trailer turn signals may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical harness, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B244.

Structure: door

13V2140002,006 vehicles affected

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.

Latches / locks / linkages

13V0620001,275 vehicles affected

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.

Structure: door

11V55100059 vehicles affected

The problem
Pierce manufacturing (pierce) is recalling certain model year 2005, 2008-2011 arrow xt, custom contender, dash, enforcer, impel, quantum, saber, and velocity 75 foot hal (heavy aluminum ladder) fire apparatus bodies vehicles manufactured from may 17,2005, through october 13, 2011, that may be equipped with dual scba cylinder storage compartments. These compartments extend inboard horizontally from the side of the rear body. The scba compartment door latch orientation may have been manufactured incorrectly, allowing the door to accidentally open while the vehicle is in motion. The door may open without warning and without knowledge to the driver.
The risk
If the door opens, the scba cylinders may fall out of the compartment and onto the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury to pedestrians.
The fix
Pierce dealers will notify owners, and will install a flat reinforcement plate that spans the length of the scba door. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 5, 2011. Owners may contact pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

11V527000724 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes: caliper

10V31700045 vehicles affected

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.

Structure: bumpers

10V30000025 vehicles affected

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.

Engine and engine cooling

09V389000131 vehicles affected

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.

Air bags: curtain

09V34100028 vehicles affected

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.

Steering

09V203000185 vehicles affected

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.

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No complaints about the 2009 Pierce Impel yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

Pierce Impel: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20130700-C
20120500-C
20110800-D
20100900-D
200901300-F
200811500Driver assistanceF
200731200SteeringF
20060500-C
20050400-B
All Impel years

2009 Pierce Impel vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2009 Pierce Impel0130F
2009 Pierce Quantum1130FCompare

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.

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Questions about the 2009 Pierce Impel

Does the 2009 Pierce Impel have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2009 Pierce Impel: software (January 2019); structure (July 2018); lower arm (October 2014); electrical system (October 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.

How many complaints has the 2009 Pierce Impel had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2009 Pierce Impel a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 24 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?
What should I do if my 2009 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

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