RoadVitals

2003 Pierce Arrow XT

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest May 30, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Pierce Arrow XT. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 26 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V348000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

May 30, 2017
225 units potentially affected
The defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 1999-2013 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks equipped with the electric All-steer rear steering option. The affected vehicles have rear steer axle shafts that were not properly heat treated.
The risk: Axle shafts that are not properly heat treated may break and potentially disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear steer axle shafts, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed on July 24, 2017. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Pierce ManufacturingManufacturer number 74B283View on NHTSA.gov
13V525000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 22, 2013
3,115 units potentially affected
The defect: Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2000-2009 Enforcer and model year 2000-2010 Dash, Lance, and Arrow XT vehicles. While raising or lowering the cab as part of vehicle maintenance, the mounts on which the cab tilt cylinders pivot may fatigue and fail allowing the cab to fall until the safety catch activates.
The risk: If a person is in the path of the moving cab when a mount fails, the person may be hit by the falling cab, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will affix new safety signs advising the operator to stay clear of the cab while it is being tilted, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B240.
Pierce ManufacturingManufacturer number 74B240View on NHTSA.gov
11V384000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

Jul 26, 2011
6,803 units potentially affected
The defect: PIERCE HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-2008 ARROW XT, DASH, CUSTOM CONTENDER, LANCE, ENFORCER, PIERCE ARROW, QUANTUM, SABER AND COMMERCIAL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 1995, THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2008, CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FUEL TANK STRAPS THAT MAY CORRODE DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT OR LIQUID DE-ICING CHEMICALS. IF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODE SUFFICIENTLY, THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTING STRAPS MAY FRACTURE AND THE FUEL TANK MAY FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.
The risk: THE VEHICLES MAY LOSE POWER AND STALL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK MAY RUPTURE AND SPILL DIESEL FUEL ON THE ROADWAY. EITHER OF THESE OUTCOMES MAY CAUSE A FIRE TRUCK OR SURROUNDING VEHICLES TO SLIP OR SLIDE ON THE ROADWAY SURFACE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: FOR FIRE TRUCKS THAT ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY WITH STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE. FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, PIERCE IS NOT OFFERING A FREE REMEDY, BUT WILL OFFER FOR PURCHASE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS STRAPS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 74B218View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EQ11003ClosedInvestigation

Williams Controls Accelerator Pedals

Opened May 12, 2011
Closed Jul 19, 2011

On April 26, 2011, Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. (Pierce) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain Pierce fire trucks, manufactured between June 22, 1999, and May 12, 2008, contain a safety related defect. Pierce stated that certain model year 1999 through 2008 Arrow XT, Dash, Lance, and Enforcer vehicles contain a Williams Controls, Inc. (Williams Controls) suspended electronic accelerator pedal that may become bent after repeated use with excessive force. If the pedal arm bends far enough, the pedal may contact the cab floor without warning and stick in the full throttle position. If the accelerator pedal becomes stuck, the operator may lose control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash. This issue was assigned recall number 11V-255.On May 12, 2011, RMD mailed an information request (IR) letter to Williams Controls requesting a list of customers who purchased the same or similar defective accelerator pedals.Williams Controls responded to RMD's IR letter on June 9, 2011 with a list those companies who purchased the same accelerator pedal.The list was submitted to NHTSA's Office of the Chief Counsel under a request for confidentiality.Williams Controls' response letter outlined several key points.First, it was noted that these pedals, item number 131507, are generic parts that are purchased by engineering staffs in accordance with their own specifications.According to Williams Controls, Pierce modified their purchased pedals post-purchase and this modification reduced the strength of the accelerator pedal assembly.Also, Williams Controls stated that it has, never had a warranty claim or other notice, other than by Pierce on their modified pedal, due to lever arm permanent deformation for item number 131507.While Williams Controls submitted a list of companies that purchased item number 131507, it noted that it did not sell the same or similar defective pedal assemblies to any company as the subject pedals were modified by Pierce.This Equipment Query is satisfied as, because of modifications not conducted by the pedal manufacturer, the same or similar pedals were not sold to other vehicle manufacturers and no other vehicles should be affected.However, RMD will continue to monitor recall activity to see if any similar issues are found in other manufacturers' vehicles.This EQ is closed.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SB_792

Husky XP pressure transducer troubleshooting procedure for transducer-related performance concerns.

SB_790

To notify dealers and customers that the engine oil specification listed on certain Federal (FED) Tags for units equipped with PACCAR MX-13 engines may be incorrect, and to ensure proper maintenance practices are followed.

PB_774

SUSPENSION

The TAK-4 design was updated and older styles of TAK-4 can be upgraded. These updates to the torsion bar and torsion bar mounting are recommended but not required.

SB_787

This bulletin provides dealer guidance for MCC filter assemblies when the moisture indicator sight glass appears to show a “wet” condition before installation, after installation, or on replacement filter assemblies.

PB_752

Pierce has created a new style bracket that is more tolerant of stress and vibrations created from driving. This new design will allow for a longer in-service life over the old and reduce maintenance of the condenser and condenser components.

SB_768

This bulletin covers the proper procedure for the replacement/installation of grip tape on hose bed grating.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pierce Arrow XT by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024010—
2023030—
2022060—
2021080—
2020090—
2019090—
2018080—
2017091—
20168141—
20150141—
2014071—
20130112—
20120112—
20110123—
20100163—
20090152—
20081163—
20070133—
2006083—
2005183—
2004072—
2003Viewing061—
2002040—
2001030—
2000030—
1999020—
1998010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.