RoadVitals

2008 Pierce Custom Contender

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.
5
Latest Oct 31, 2012
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.
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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 2008 Pierce Custom Contender. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 47 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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
12V523000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Oct 31, 2012
9 units potentially affected
The defect: Pierce is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Contender fire trucks manufactured from December 26, 2006, through March 28, 2008, equipped with a Caterpillar C9 engine due to an engine software problem which can cause the engine's RPM's to surge while in pump mode.
The risk: The surge can cause a fluctuation in water pressure from the fire hose and could result in personal injury.
The remedy: Pierce has already remedied all of the affected vehicles by updating the engine software, therefore, owner notifications will not be sent. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 74B235View on NHTSA.gov
11V527000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Nov 1, 2011
724 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 74B226View on NHTSA.gov
10V300000

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

Jun 28, 2010
25 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 39-0139830View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA11008ClosedEngineering Analysis

Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode

Opened Jun 27, 2011
Closed Nov 9, 2012

On January 10, 2011 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-001) based on a Product Improvement Program (PIP) (ODI TSB #10036912) submitted by Caterpillar dated August 18, 2010.The PIP was intended to address engine RPMs that could surge while the fire fighting vehicle was in a water pumping mode.This engine surge could cause significant fluctuations in water pressure being directed onto a fire through a hose.The bulletin states that this condition in conjunction with other factors or circumstances could result in a risk of personal injury or death.Caterpillar's PIP provided information involving the installation of new engine software on certain fire trucks with C9 engines.On June 27, 2011 ODI upgraded its investigation to an Engineering Analysis.No information request (IR) letter was sent to Pierce, instead a field inspection of a Pierce fire truck was conducted.In August 2011 representatives from ODI, the Vehicle Research and Test Center and Pierce conducted an on-site fire truck performance inspection of a complaint vehicle in Sherwood, Arizona.The purpose was to jointly inspect a complaint vehicle that was recently outfitted with updated engine software.The Sherwood fire truck engine was started and remained idling while the fire truck was set in water pumping mode.The representatives were able to witness the effects of the new software with regards to engine surge and verified that the alleged defect did not exist during this vehicle examination.The new engine software corrected the problem of fire hose pressure fluctuations in water being directed onto a fire.It was determined during the course of this investigation that the PIP released by Caterpillar and conducted on Pierce vehicles should be submitted to NHTSA as a safety recall.During discussions with NHTSA, Pierce was informed that NHTSA had authority over the safety of vehicles even when not in highway use.Following these discussions, Pierce agreed the PIP should be released as a safety recall.This Engineering Analysis is closed with a safety recall (12V-523).

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEMLed to recall 12V523000

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.

PB_805

WHEELS

This bulletin outlines the process for masking off new tire rims in order to paint and powder coat.

SB_715.2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Pierce apparatus equipped with Command Zone multiplexing uses the cab power distribution area for determining the vehicle system voltage. However, because of voltage drop between the batteries and the cab distribution area, this is not a true representation of actual system voltage. To improve the accuracy of the Command Zone voltage gauge reading, a programming update may be performed that will use a Battery box module to determine system voltage, rather than a cab mounted module.

74B345

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Pierce has updated our inverter installation policy to require a sub-feed breaker box with inverters that can supply over 2400W (20A @ 120V) in an unprotected output. In alignment with the National Electric Code (NEC), this will ensure that any 15A or 20A inverter load will not exceed the current rating of the wire or device.

PB_799

Pierce is communicating a material change to the ball joint boots used in applicable service kit PN 2742031. This bulletin is intended to help Dealer Parts and Service teams understand the reason for the change and how to identify the new ball joint.

SB_796

This bulletin provides a procedure to update Telematics Control Unit (TCU) devices in Pierce custom chassis apparatus equipped with Command Zone and with TCU software version 7.4.3. Installation of new TCU webpage and MQTT security certificates is accomplished as part of this procedure. This update is highly recommended for TCU devices currently operating with all software versions prior to 7.4.3.

SB_797

This bulletin provides a procedure for comprehensive update of the Command Zone (CZ) Telematics Control Unit (TCU), control module, and Display devices in Pierce custom chassis apparatus to enable next-generation ClearSky Intelligence Connected Solutions capabilities, provide a pathway for future Over-The-Air Programming, improve TCU reliability, and install new TCU webpage and MQTT security certificates. This update is highly recommended for TCU devices currently operating with all software versions prior to 8.0.0 or 8.1.0 and all apparatus with active ClearSky Intelligence subscriptions.

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 Custom Contender by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011030—
2010030—
2009040—
2008Viewing051—
2007022—
2006021—
2005010—
2004010—
2003020—
2002010—
2001120—
2000010—
1999000—
1998000—

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.