RoadVitals

2011 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.
3
Latest Nov 10, 2011
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 2011 Pierce Custom Contender. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 37 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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
11V551000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Nov 10, 2011
59 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 74B186View 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
11V422000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Aug 17, 2011
18 units potentially affected
The defect: PIERCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ARROW XT, CUSTOM CONTENDER, DASH CF, IMPEL, SABER, AND VELOCITY EMERGENCY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 24, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 19, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISX, ISC, OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
The remedy: PIERCE IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 74B221View on NHTSA.gov

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 Custom Contender by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011Viewing030—
2010030—
2009040—
2008051—
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.