RoadVitals

2017 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.
2
Latest Aug 13, 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.
3
Latest May 26, 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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Pierce Saber, most frequently naming the engine category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 30 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

  • Engine2100.0%

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

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
21V394000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

May 26, 2021
2,416 units potentially affected
The defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters were mailed to owners on June 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Pierce ManufacturingManufacturer number 74BX317View 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
18V756000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Oct 26, 2018
717 units potentially affected
The defect: Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Pierce Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, Velocity, and Commercial vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and Whelen will inspect the vehicles and replace the brake lights, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
Pierce ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 PIERCE FIRE TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCED POOR DEF FAULT CODES IN THE DEF FLUID SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT NEW DEF TANK HEADERS THAT WERE INSTALLED AT THE FIRE STATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,549. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11243741
Incident
May 15, 2019
Mileage
29,549 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 (NA) PIERCE SABER 2017 FIRE TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCED POOR DEF FLUID QUALITY IN THE DEF FLUID SENSOR, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT NEW DEF TANK HEADERS THAT WERE INSTALLED AT THE FIRE STATION EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE REPEAT FAILURES IN 6 TRUCKS ALL 2017 MODELS. THE DEF TANK IS BUILT FOR PIERCE BY AN OUTSIDE VENDOR. PIERCE HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. ALL 6 TRUCKS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE DEF HEADER DEF QUALITY FAULTS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,549. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11243740
Incident
May 9, 2019
Mileage
29,549 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—
2017Viewing230—
2016180—
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.