CSR

Pierce · NHTSA safety record

2016 Pierce Arrow XT

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

8

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Pierce Arrow XT have filed 8 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2017 and January 2024. The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 2 of them (25%). The typical failure was reported at 8,775 miles, the median across the 6 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 14 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (14)

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:BOOM/CRANE/LADDER

26V217000 · April 6, 2026

The defect
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2026 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, and Velocity 107’ ladder and 110’ platform aerial firetrucks equipped with a single rear axle. The firm-on-ground system light may remain illuminated after the rear stabilizer loses contact with the ground.
The risk
A false firm-on-ground indicator light may lead to using the aerial device when the vehicle may shift during aerial operation, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Pierce will provide instructions on how to update the vehicle software and perform an aerial device functional check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2026. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 674 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

22V809000 · October 27, 2022

The defect
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2010-2022 Pierce Velocity, Enforcer, Arrow XT, Quantum, and Dash CF fire trucks. Stokes basket mounting brackets may be insufficiently welded.
The risk
The left and/or right brackets can fail, allowing the stokes basket to fall and increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Pierce will replace the stokes basket mounting brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Pierce's customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B323.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 299 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

22V032000 · January 26, 2022

The defect
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak.
The risk
A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
On engines with 75 miles or less, dealers will install vibration isolators to the fuel tubes. Engines with more than 75 miles will receive new fuel tubes with vibration isolators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owners may contact Pierce's customer service at 1-888-974-3723.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 243 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

19V022000 · January 2, 2019

The 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.
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 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.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 994 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE

18V463000 · July 11, 2018

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

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 17 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

18V050000 · January 11, 2018

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

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 123 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

17V570000 · September 14, 2017

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 56 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V455000 · July 18, 2017

The defect
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, and Velocity fire trucks equipped with Hale Pump Interlock Module Kits. The Hale interlock pressure switch can fail after prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures, preventing the fire truck water pump from operating.
The risk
If the fire truck cannot pump water during a fire emergency, there would be an increased risk of injury.
The remedy
Pierce will notify owners, and Hale Products dealers will replace the interlock modules, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569 or Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B281.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 65 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION

17V349000 · May 31, 2017

The defect
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2012-2017 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Quantum, and Velocity fire trucks equipped with the T3 rear steer option. The affected vehicles have a rear sway bar that may detach from the vehicle.
The risk
If the sway bar detaches, the vehicle may sway more during steering maneuvers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace and properly torque the sway bar fasteners, free of charge. The recall began on July 11, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 29 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

16V585000 · August 5, 2016

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 470 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

16V390000 · June 1, 2016

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 114 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

16V186000 · April 1, 2016

The defect
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Arrow-XT, Quantum, and Velocity vehicles manufactured from October 30, 2010, through January 24, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Pelican 9410L flashlights, part number 9410-021-245 or 9410-021-110, with lithium ion battery packs which may overheat.
The risk
If the flashlight battery pack overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Pierce will notify owners and instruct them to inspect the flashlight and battery pack, and if necessary, to request a replacement battery pack from Pelican Products, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000. Pierce's recall number for this campaign is 74B271.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 36 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

16V123000 · March 2, 2016

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 239 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

15V706000 · October 26, 2015

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Pierce Manufacturing · up to 5 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Unintended aerial platform movement

PE18009

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened August 21, 2018 · closed April 8, 2019 · led to recall 19V022000

the electrical system

This Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened August 21, 2018 based on 5 consumer complaints for unintended aerial platform movement on the subject vehicles. ODI complaint numbers 11101301, 11101303, 11101304, 11101305 and 11105134 allege there is a defect with the aerial ladder control mechanism that resulted unintended movement.ODI conducted several field inspections, meeting with local fire houses and municipalities to better understand and witness the alleged defect. In addition, ODI met with Pierce and the Fleet Operations Manager of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service?s Central Fleet to discuss the known complaints, possible attributing factors and vehicles to be tested/instrumented.On November 30, 2018 Pierce met with ODI staff at DOT headquarters and agreed that a safety defect existed on their vehicle aerial devices. The subject vehicles may unintentionally rotate right when a command to extend the aerial ladder is given. This unintentional movement is the result of faulty Random Access Memory (RAM) chip configuration on the aerial ladder controller. If the aerial device is operated in this manner it may contract an obstruction, potentially causing property damage or injury. In addition, it may hinder the ability to perform emergency functions as intended. The effected population includes 886 2004?2018 model year Pierce Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed with Safety Recall 19V-022.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 8.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 63%
SUSPENSION 2 25%
TIRES 1 13%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 4.

2017 2018 2024
2017 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 injured · fire

While working at the scene of a residential structure fire, the Pierce aerial ladder was extended with three firefighters on the platform conducting ventilation operations. During the operation fire conditions rapidly changed engulfing the platform in fire. A crew member on the platform engaged the control pulling it down to raise the aerial device and the aerial slammed into roof of the residential structure, the aerial device lowering instead of raising. This increased the intensity of the fire and created warning alarms to go off on the CommandZone screen including collision avoidance and temperature warning. A firefighter on the turntable seeing what was happening raised the aerial

NHTSA complaint 11481128, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT
The center portion of the tire tread is separating from the tire bed. The tire was mounted on a 2016 Pierce aerial fire truck in the left rear inner position .The discrepancy was found on a pre trip inspection for a test drive. We have consulted with a tire consultant ( Tennent, Winkelman and Associates) and believe that the rubber components are not fully cured. The rubber of the tread bed is of a soft and semi sticky constancy when physically touched. There where no warning lights as to the discrepancy, tire pressure at time of discovery was 110 psi. This was the only tire on this piece of equipment to have any discrepancy. Tire model M870 size 315/80R22.5 load range L. The tire is

NHTSA complaint 11566415, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

9,700 miles

UNIT WAS BEING USED BY THE "AERIAL APPARATUS OPERATOR CLASS" AT THE ACADEMY. INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE LADDER WAS BEING OPERATED FROM THE BUCKET WHILE SLIGHTLY EXTENDED AND AT APPROXIMATELY A 35 DEGREE ANGLE. INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE LADDER WAS BEING ROTATED TO THE RIGHT AND WHEN THE ROTATION CONTROL WAS RELEASED, THE LADDER CONTINUED TO ROTATE RIGHT ABOUT 20-30 FEET AFTER THE CONTROL WAS RELEASED. INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT THE ROTATION SEEMED TO BUMP UP TO FULL SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT AT THE TIME THE LADDER STOPPED MOVING BY ITSELF, HE WAS JIGGLING THE ROTATION CONTROL TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK, BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN THAT THIS IS WHAT BROUGHT THE LADDER TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint 11101303, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

11,500 miles

VEHICLE PARKED, JACKING SYSTEM DOWN AS REQUIRED FOR AERIAL OPERATION, AERIAL BEING OPERATED FROM THE PLATFORM BUCKET, MADE AN UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT TO THE RIGHT AFTER BEING ROTATED LEFT, THEN BEING EXTENDED. AERIAL MADE AN ABRUPT ROTATION TO THE RIGHT UNCONTROLLED AND STRUCK A FLAGPOLE. ## VIN PASSED ## PIERCE ARROW XT 2016 100' AERIAL PLATFORM ##

NHTSA complaint 11101301. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8,700 miles

DURING A DRIVERS TRAINING TEST THE AERIAL WAS BEING EXTENDED IN SLOW MODE, WITH OUT WARNING THE AERIAL SWUNG 30 FEET TO THE RIGHT AT FAST RATE OF SPEED. DURING THE EVENT NO CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE RIGHT/LEFT ROTATION CONTROL. THE AERIAL WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AS A SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING AT CMF, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND UNIT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint 11101304. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8,850 miles

WHILE OPERATING ON AN INCIDENT , PAT708 WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXTENDING WHEN THE LADDER SWUNG TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT ANY ROTATION CONTROL BEING USED. THE UNEXPECTED ROTATION WAS APPROX. 10' TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ONE ADDITIONAL TIME ON THE SAME INCIDENT WITH THE SAME VARIABLES IN PLACE. THIS UNIT WAS OOS LAST WEEK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO OBVIOUS SOLUTION. PIERCE DEALER TOOK UNIT BACK; AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT. THEY INSTALLED A DATA RECORDER; DATA COLLECTED SHOWED A BAD CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. UNIT RETURNED TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND WAS PLACED BACK IN SERVICE AT STATION 8.

NHTSA complaint 11101305. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Every Pierce on this site — 1 vehicles, 100 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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