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2008 Pierce Impel problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Pierce Impel is driver assistance and stability. It has fewer complaints than a typical Impel model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
15
Service bulletins
442 warranty
Worst area
Driver assistance

The worst 2008 Pierce Impel problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Driver assistance
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Driver assistance
    1

Recalls 15

Electrical system: softwareReported January 2, 2019 · 994 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 19V022000 · Recall details

StructureReported July 11, 2018 · 17 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the bracket falls, it could strike a person below.
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.

Recall number 18V463000 · Recall details

Structure: body: doorReported May 17, 2013 · 2,006 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
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.
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.

Recall number 13V214000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkagesReported February 25, 2013 · 1,275 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Velocity and Impel fire trucks manufactured from June 6, 2007, through October 30, 2010. The springs inside the inner door handles may allow the door to open inadvertently.
Risk
If the door inadvertently opens while the vehicle is in motion, the occupants may fall out and suffer personal injury.
Remedy
Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inner door handles, free of charge. The recall began during May 2013. Owners may contact Pierce at 1‑920‑832‑3000.

Recall number 13V062000 · Recall details

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported November 1, 2011 · 724 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 11V527000 · Recall details

SteeringReported September 21, 2010 · 2,652 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling certain model year 1998 through 2008 arrow xt, lance, velocity, enforcer, impel, and dash custom fire apparatus vehicles manufactured from may 30, 1998 through november 25, 2008. The steering gear bracket may fracture and break. If this occurs the steering gear may detach from the vehicle.
Risk
Detachment of the steering gear will result in a loss of steering control that could cause a crash.
Remedy
Pierce will notify owners and dealers will install a new steering gear mounting bracket free of charge. The safety recall began on october 12, 2010. Owners are being instructed to inspect the steering gear bracket prior to each trip. The remedy to repair this defect is expected to begin no earlier the january 31, 2011. Owners may contact pierce at 1‑888‑974‑3723.

Recall number 10V423000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliperReported July 8, 2010 · 45 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 arrow xt, dash, enforcer, impel, quantum, and velocity fire trucks manufactured from october 11, 2006 through june 16, 2010 and equipped with meritor wabco ex225 rear disc brakes and onspot automatic tire chains. The meritor wabco ex225 rear disc brake caliper may interfere with the onspot automatic tire chain brackets. This interference may restrict the caliper from full movement.
Risk
If this interference occurs, braking performance may be reduced without warning and a crash may occur.
Remedy
Dealers will install new automatic tire chain brackets. The new brackets provide additional clearance for the full actuation of the disc brake calipers. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began in july 2010. Owners may contact pierce at 1‑920‑832‑3000.

Recall number 10V317000 · Recall details

Structure: body: bumpersReported June 28, 2010 · 25 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 10V300000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported October 6, 2009 · 131 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 fire trucks manufactured between april 1, 2008 and september 30, 2009, equipped with cummins isb cm2150, isc cm2150, isl cm2150, ism cm876, and isx cm871 model diesel engines. The vehicles may be designed with a hard wired, dash-mounted switch that enables the vehicle operator to inhibit aftertreatment diesel particulate filter regeneration in environments where the operator believes it may be unsafe for elevated exhaust temperatures. Due to an issue with the logic in the ECM software in these engines, the switch may not function correctly, leading the operator to believe that the switch is in "inhibit" mode when it is not.
Risk
This condition will permit hot exhaust gases to exit the vehicle tailpipe, increasing the risk of melting or burning of nearby surfaces, or a fire.
Remedy
Pierce is working with cummins to repair the engines. Cummins is conducting this campaign and will provide the remedy free of charge. Please see cummins recall campaign 09e-046. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2009. Owners may contact cummins at 1-800-diesels (1‑800‑343‑7357) or pierce at 1‑920‑832‑3000.

Recall number 09V389000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/window: curtainReported August 31, 2009 · 28 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 fire trucks equipped with side-roll protection systems. The sensor designed to detect vehicle roll can malfunction resulting in an inadvertent deployment of the protection system.
Risk
Inadvertent deployment of the side-roll protection system could result in a vehicle crash or injury to an out of position occupant.
Remedy
Pierce will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on august 31, 2009. Owners may contact pierce toll-free at 1‑888‑974‑3723.

Recall number 09V341000 · Recall details

SteeringReported June 8, 2009 · 185 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling 185 model year 2008 and 2009 custom fire trucks manufactured between january 1, 2008 and may 31, 2009, equipped with meritor wabco steering angle sensors (sas). Internal friction can develop between the sensor gears and the sensor housing as a result of external forces experienced on the vehicle including vibration. If developed friction is great enough, the driving tab of the sas can shear as the driver turns the steering wheel.
Risk
With a broken sas driving tab, the electronic stability control (ESC) will not function properly, which could possibly result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Pierce will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on july 2, 2009. Owners may contact pierce at 1‑920‑832‑3000.

Recall number 09V203000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported April 28, 2009 · 257 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce manufacturing is recalling 257 my 2008 emergency vehicles manufactured between june 1 and october 31, 2008, equipped with trimark door latches. These latches fail to comply with the transverse pull static load requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 206, "door locks and door retention components." the latches may "pop" into the secondary locking position.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the door would not have primary closing security which could possibly lead to injury of the vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Pierce will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 4, 2009. Owners may contact pierce customer service toll-free at 1‑888‑974‑3723.

Recall number 09V137000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v batteryReported April 1, 2009 · 167 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling 167 my 2007-2008 velocity and impel fire trucks. A battery box is positioned on both sides of the chassis frame directly under the cab. Cab interference may occur with the positive battery post and the aluminum cab floor substructure.
Risk
If metal-to-metal contact were to happen, an electrical arcing between the cab and battery could occur increasing the risk of electrical short circuit and a fire.
Remedy
Owners will receive a remedy kit along with instructions and should inspect the positive battery posts to make sure the protective caps have not worn away, if contact with the cab has occurred, replace the battery post protective caps. This remedy will be free of charge. The recall began on april 6, 2009. Owners may contact pierce at 1‑888‑974‑3723.

Recall number 09V105000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: disc: caliperReported November 18, 2008 · 15 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce is recalling 15 my 2007-2008 dash, enforcer, impel, quantum and velocity fire trucks equipped with arvinmeritor rear disc brakes and hendrickson firemaax suspension. Interference with the brake caliper adjuster bolt sleeve and the suspension beam may occur. This interference may occur if the right hand and left hand brake components were assembled on the wrong side of the axle. The adjuster bolt is designed to rotate as the brake pads wear. If the sleeve becomes damaged, the sleeve may prevent the adjuster from rotating.
Risk
If the adjuster can not rotate, brake performance may be compromised and a crash may occur.
Remedy
Dealers will adjust the bolt sleeve and the proper components free of charge. All owners have been notified by arvinmeritor.

Recall number 08V598000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported October 20, 2008 · 2 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Pierce recalled 2 my 2008 impel fire trucks equipped with c7 or c9 caterpillar diesel engines. The fuel pump outlet check plug may be cracked which could cause fuel to spray and leak.
Risk
The fuel pump plug may crack causing fuel to leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
These vehicles have been repaired. No further action is necessary on this recall.

Recall number 08V555000 · Recall details

See all 15 recalls for the 2008 Pierce Impel

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Pierce Impel 44

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 44 bulletins for the 2008 Pierce Impel

What 2008 Pierce Impel owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 1, 2009 · Driver assistance · 3,000 miles · WA

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.

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Questions about the 2008 Pierce Impel

Is the 2008 Pierce Impel reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2008 Pierce Impel, fewer than a typical Impel model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Pierce Impel?

Driver assistance and stability, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2008 Pierce Impel have?

15 recalls, covering electrical system, structure and latches/locks/linkages.

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