RoadVitals

2008 Pierce Impel

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
1
Latest Sep 1, 2009
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.
15
Latest Jan 2, 2019
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Pierce Impel, most frequently naming the driver assistance category. 15 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 45 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

15 campaigns cover this model year

View all 15

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
19V022000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Jan 2, 2019
994 units potentially affected
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 ManufacturingManufacturer number 74B295View on NHTSA.gov
18V463000

STRUCTURE

Jul 11, 2018
17 units potentially affected
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 ManufacturingManufacturer number 74B290View on NHTSA.gov
13V214000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

May 17, 2013
2,006 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Pierce ManufacturingManufacturer number 74B242View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed Sep 1, 2009

IN REGARDS TO RECALL 09V-023. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM. THAT IS THAT THE ESC SYSTEM DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT OR FAULT EVEN AFTER THESE SENSORS FAIL. ALSO THAT THE SOFTWARE TO DIAGNOSE THESE SYSTEMS CAN NOT READ WHAT THE SENSORS ARE ACTUALLY DOING OR RECORD ANY PROBLEMS. TWO OF OUR VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED WITH THE COMPANY RECALLING THE SENSORS AFTER THEY BOTH HAD UNEXPECTED BRAKE APPLICATIONS WHEN MAKING A TURN, FORCING THEM INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. AFTER THESE EVENTS WE DROVE THE FIRST TRUCK FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHILE THE SENSOR WAS BROKEN AND COULD NOT TELL THERE WAS A PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE COMPANIES SOFTWARE HOOKED TO THE VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IN THE EVENT THAT THESE COMPONENTS FAILED AGAIN THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE WITH NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SHOULD THE ESC SYSTEM BE NEEDED IN A ACTUAL ESC EVENT. HOWEVER ONCE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE SOFTWARE HAS NO ABILITY TO DETERMINE IF AN ESC EVENT ACTIVATED OR IF IT WAS EVEN WORKING AT THE TIME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A HUGE FLAW IN THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. HOW COULD A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO HELP YOU CONTROL A VEHICLE INDICATE THAT IT WAS WORKING NORMAL WHEN IN REALITY IT COULD NOT RECORD THE POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL OR THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT BEING MOVED EVEN THOUGH TIRE SPEEDS WERE SHOWING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A TURN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10282532
Incident
Apr 1, 2009
Mileage
3,000 mi

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.

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_795

This bulletin provides a procedure to update webpage and MQTT certificates in the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) devices of Pierce custom chassis apparatus equipped with Command Zone and with TCU software versions 6.0.8, 6.0.13, 7.4.3, or 8.0.0. Apparatus with TCU software versions 7.0.1, 7.0.3, 7.2.0, and 7.4.2 should utilize SB_796 “TCU v 7.4.3 Update” for recommended software updates.

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 Impel by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024010—
2023020—
2022030—
2021040—
2020060—
2019060—
2018060—
2017060—
2016090—
2015090—
2014030—
2013070—
2012050—
2011080—
2010090—
20090130—
2008Viewing1150—
20073120—
2006050—
2005040—
2004030—
2003020—
2002010—
2001010—
2000010—
1999010—
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.