2011 Pierce Arrow XT problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
No owner complaints are on file for the 2011 Pierce Arrow XT yet. There are 12 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- — at time of problem
Key facts
- The 2011 Pierce Arrow XT has 12 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
2011 Pierce Arrow XT recalls (12)
- EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL · STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2010-2022 Pierce Velocity, Enforcer, Arrow XT, Quantum, and Dash CF fire trucks. Stokes basket mounting brackets may be insufficiently welded.
Risk: The left and/or right brackets can fail, allowing the stokes basket to fall and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Pierce will replace the stokes basket mounting brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2022. Owners may contact Pierce's customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B323.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
- STRUCTURE
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.
- POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 1999-2013 Arrow XT, Dash, Enforcer, Quantum and Velocity fire trucks equipped with the electric All-steer rear steering option. The affected vehicles have rear steer axle shafts that were not properly heat treated.
Risk: Axle shafts that are not properly heat treated may break and potentially disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear steer axle shafts, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed on July 24, 2017. The recall began June 3, 2020. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723.
- EQUIPMENT
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2010-2016 Arrow-XT, Quantum, and Velocity vehicles manufactured from October 30, 2010, through January 24, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with Pelican 9410L flashlights, part number 9410-021-245 or 9410-021-110, with lithium ion battery packs which may overheat.
Risk: If the flashlight battery pack overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Pierce will notify owners and instruct them to inspect the flashlight and battery pack, and if necessary, to request a replacement battery pack from Pelican Products, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000. Pierce's recall number for this campaign is 74B271.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pierce Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Velocity, and Arrow XT emergency vehicles manufactured November 11, 2009, to April 23, 2013, and equipped with TAK-4 front independent suspensions. The affected vehicles have front lower control arms that may crack and fracture.
Risk: If one of the lower control arm fractures, the attached wheel may separate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the lower control arms, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B257.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. (Pierce) is recalling one model year 2009 Enforcer emergency vehicle and certain model year 2009-2013 Arrow XT, Saber, Velocity, Impel, Quantum, and Commercial vehicles. The trailer connector circuit was wired such that the stop signal overrides the turn signal and the trailer lights do not indicate a turn when brakes are applied.
Risk: The absence of trailer turn signals may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical harness, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000. Pierce's recall number is 74B244.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 vehicles manufactured from august 28, 2010, through march 27, 2012, equipped with detroit diesel dd13 epa 2007 and epa 2010 diesel engines. The pump to rail high pressure fuel line support system used on these engines is sensitive to assembly torque and may be damaged during service work. As a result of other repairs, the line supports may loosen, potentially leading to fuel line cracking and a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and the high pressure fuel line support system will be replaced by daimler truck north america (dtna) authorized service facilities, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 18, 2012. Owners may contact dtna at 1-800-547-0712 or pierce manufacturing, inc. At 1-920-832-3000.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 arrow xt, dash cf, quantum and velocity emercency vehicles manufactured from october 13, 2010, through february 8, 2012, and equipped with detroit diesel dd13 epa 2010 engines. The engine shutdown software normally provided to protect the engine and vehicle may not have been disabled on engines intended for emergency vehicle applications.
Risk: If the vehicle operator receives and ignores multiple warnings indicating the need for operator intervention, the engine may shut down unexpectedly. Unexpected emergency vehicle engine shutdown under certain conditions could hamper rescue operations and place the public at risk.
Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and detroit diesel dealers will disable the engine shutdown software, free of charge. Pierce has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact pierce at 888-974-3723.
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2011 arrow xt, custom contender, dash cf, impel, saber, and velocity emergency vehicles manufactured from january 24, 2011, through april 19, 2011, equipped with a cummins isb, isx, isc, or isl diesel engine. The v-band clamp assembly, part numbers q187684, q187685, and q187686, used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (doc)/diesel particulate filter (dpf) include a t-bolt which can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. A fracture or failure of the t-bolt may cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the doc/dpf housing to disconnect.
Risk: If the inlet or outlet sections disconnect, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating the risk of combustion and a fire. If both clamps fail, there is a risk in some applications that the doc/dpf housing may detach completely, creating a road hazard.
Remedy: Pierce is working with cummins to identify and notify owners of the recall campaign. Repairs will be performed by authorized cummins dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on october 10, 2011. Owners may contact cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or pierce at 1-920-832-3000.
- WHEELS
Pierce is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 arrow xt and velocity fire apparatus manufactured from june 30, 2009, through march 15, 2011. The front axle of these vehicles were built with michelin 365/70r22.5 xza tires installed on 12.25 inch wide wheels. These tires require 10.5 inch wide wheels. Therefore, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Risk: The wider 12.25 inch wheel may cause the tire bead to separate from the rim. This tire bead separation can cause a tire failure that may cause the vehicle to crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will install new 10.5 inch wide wheels and new michelin 365/70r22.5 zxa tires on the front axle of the fire apparatus free of charge. The safety recall began on april 15, 2011. Owners may contact pierce at 1-920-832-3000.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unintended aerial platform movement
This Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened August 21, 2018 based on 5 consumer complaints for unintended aerial platform movement on the subject vehicles. ODI complaint numbers 11101301, 11101303, 11101304, 11101305 and 11105134 allege there is a defect with the aerial ladder control mechanism that resulted unintended movement.ODI conducted several field inspections, meeting with local fire houses and municipalities to better understand and witness the alleged defect. In addition, ODI met with Pierce and the Fleet Operations Manager of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service?s Central F…
Front suspension ball joint failure
On February 27th 2015, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-008 to investigate front steer wheel separations on 2004 model year Pierce fire trucks (manufactured with TAK-4 independent front suspensions ) caused byball joint failures.The investigation was based on one steering related consumer complaint, three media reports alleging front steer wheel separation incidents, and a service bulletin outlining the maintenance requirements for the ball joints used in the TAK4 suspension.The consumer complaint (ODI #10671053), received on January 8th 2015, alleg…
Front Lower Control Arm Failing
On March 26, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE14-009) to investigate alleged wheel separation events on model year (MY)2010 thru MY 2011 Pierce Arrow Fire Trucks equipped with TAK-4 Front Suspensions.ODI discovered media reports regarding the loss of left front wheels on two aerial fire trucks responding to emergency calls.The failures occurred in Edmonds, Oklahoma and Portland, Oregon.Pierce took possession of the two failed lower control arms in an effort to better understand the failure mechanism.During the course of the investigation Pierce…
Recent 2011 Pierce Arrow XT complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
No narrative complaints on file.
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Other 2011 Pierce models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology