RoadVitals

2016 Pierce Saber

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 Mar 28, 2019
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.
8
Latest Mar 30, 2021
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2016 Pierce Saber, most frequently naming the brakes and electrical categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 31 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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Electrical150.0%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
21V222000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Mar 30, 2021
4 units potentially affected
The defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Enforcer, Freightliner and Saber vehicles equipped with ECCO Holdings Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights. The rear LED lights may be too bright. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will provide a filter kit to be installed in the rear lights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 26, 2021. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Pierce ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov
18V050000

EQUIPMENT

Jan 11, 2018
123 units potentially affected
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 ManufacturingManufacturer number 74B287View on NHTSA.gov
17V570000

STEERING; STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Sep 14, 2017
56 units potentially affected
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 ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 28, 2019
Fire reported2 injuries reported

CITY OF DAYTON FIRE-RESCUE FIREFIGHTERS WERE RETURNING FROM A FIRE ALARM WHEN THEY NOTICED A "BURNING WIRES" SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE 2016 PIERCE SABER THEY WERE DRIVING. AS FIREFIGHTERS WERE ATTEMPTING TO FIND A SAFE LOCATION TO STOP THE TRUCK, ALL OF THE CAB AND DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE TRUCK RAPIDLY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE DRIVER/OPERATOR HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP WITH HIS VISION IMPAIRED BY SMOKE. AS FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXITING THE APPARATUS, THE DRIVER/OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL POWER. FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO REMOVE TWO PANELS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH/FLOORBOARD TO EXPOSE THE FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH AN ABC DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER. TWO FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXPOSED TO SMOKE AND TOXIC GASES PRODUCED BY FLAMING COMBUSTION. BOTH WERE EVALUATED ON SCENE AND REFUSED FURTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THAT TIME. THE FLAMES WERE SEEN BEHIND THE CIRCUIT BOARD/FUSE PANEL, BUT THE HEAT WAS CONDUCTED THROUGH THE PANEL CAUSING DAMAGE AND DISCOLORATION TO THE FRONT OF THE BOARD. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION BY A PIERCE CERTIFIED MECHANIC (EVS FIRE APPARATUS) INDICATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL ARCING CAUSED BY A COOLANT LEAK IN THE TRUCK'S HEATER CORE. HE REPORTED THAT THE FLUID HAD PENETRATED THE RELAY CONNECTED TO THE BACK OF THE BOARD THAT CONTROLLED THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS CASE APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S CASE #16V148000 AS THE TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY OF 2016, BUT WAS NEVER RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
11192153
Incident
Feb 24, 2019
Mileage
15,030 mi

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.

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_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.

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 Saber by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024000—
2023010—
2022010—
2021010—
2020010—
2019010—
2018030—
2017230—
2016Viewing180—
2015080—
2014020—
2013020—
2012010—
2011040—
2010030—
2009050—
2008040—
2007020—
2006030—
2005030—
2004040—
2003030—
2002020—
2001040—
2000040—
1999030—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—
1995020—

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.