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2008 Pierce Impel
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2008 Pierce Impel, covering electrical system, structure and latches/locks/linkages, and 1 consumer complaint received since 2009.
The component named most often is electronic stability control (esc): 1,000 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 18.2 per 1,000 across all 2008 model-year vehicles and against 142.9 per 1,000 for the Pierce Impel line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 0.1 complaints per model year across the 29 Pierce Impel model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2009 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 1 Sep 2009.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Pierce Manufacturing (manufacturer campaign 74B295).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Pierce Manufacturing (manufacturer campaign 74B290).
Defect, as filed: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Pierce Manufacturing (manufacturer campaign 74B242).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Pierce Manufacturing (manufacturer campaign 74B237).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 74B226).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 74B207).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 39-0139830).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 39-0139830).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 39-0139830).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 39-0139830).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 39-0139830).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING (manufacturer campaign 39-0139830).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by PIERCE MANUFACTURING.
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2008 Pierce Impel (black) against all 2008 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2008 | Impel line | All 2008 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1,000 | 142.9 | 18.2 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | 1,000 | 142.9 | 18.2 |
1 unique complaints, 1 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other Pierce Impel model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,652 |
| 1999 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,652 |
| 2000 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,652 |
| 2001 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,652 |
| 2002 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 2,652 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 2,677 |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | 3,671 |
| 2005 | 4 | 0 | 3,730 |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 | 4,626 |
| 2007 | 12 | 3 | 8,156 |
| 2008 | 15 | 1 | 8,523 |
| 2009 | 13 | 0 | 5,973 |
| 2010 | 9 | 0 | 5,604 |
| 2011 | 8 | 0 | 4,302 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 3,501 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 3,837 |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | 1,197 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | 2,527 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 2,637 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 4,883 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 5,270 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 3,796 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 3,625 |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 3,668 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | 1,252 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 738 |
| 2024 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 674 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 725 |
| 2026 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 674 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Pierce Impel model years · Pierce: 13 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2008 Pierce Impel have?
15 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 19V022000, was reported to NHTSA on 2 Jan 2019 and concerns electrical system:software. Across all model years the Pierce Impel line has 40 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2008 Pierce Impel?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2008 Pierce Impel complain about most?
Electronic Stability Control (ESC): 1 of 1 component mentions (1,000 per 1,000). Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.