What Pierce Saber owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Pierce Saber safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 39 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Pierce Saber complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
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
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
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 …
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Pierce has updated our inverter installation policy to require a sub-feed breaker box with inverters that can supply over 2400W (20A @ 120V) in an unprotected output. In alignment with the National Electric Code (NEC), this will ensure that any 15A or 20A inverter load will not exceed the current rating of the wire or device.
Pierce is communicating a material change to the ball joint boots used in applicable service kit PN 2742031. This bulletin is intended to help Dealer Parts and Service teams understand the reason for the change and how to identify the new ball joint.
This bulletin provides a procedure to update webpage and MQTT certificates in the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) devices of Pierce custom chassis apparatus equipped with Command Zone and with TCU software versions 6.0.8, 6.0.13, 7.4.3, or 8.0.0. Apparatus with TCU software versions 7.0.1, 7.0.3, 7.2.0, and 7.4.2 should utilize SB_796 âTCU v 7.4.3 Updateâ for recommended software updates.
This bulletin provides a procedure for comprehensive update of the Command Zone (CZ) Telematics Control Unit (TCU), control module, and Display devices in Pierce custom chassis apparatus to enable next-generation ClearSky Intelligence Connected Solutions capabilities, provide a pathway for future Over-The-Air Programming, improve TCU reliability, and install new TCU webpage and MQTT security certificates. This update is highly recommended for TCU devices currently operating with all software versions prior to 8.0.0 or 8.1.0 and all apparatus with active ClearSky Intelligence subscriptions.
This bulletin provides a procedure to update Telematics Control Unit (TCU) devices in Pierce custom chassis apparatus equipped with Command Zone and with TCU software version 7.4.3. Installation of new TCU webpage and MQTT security certificates is accomplished as part of this procedure. This update is highly recommended for TCU devices currently operating with all software versions prior to 7.4.3.
The previous bolt-in airbag and steering wheel design are now obsolete and will require replacement if the become damaged. A new clip-in airbag and steering wheel design have been implemented.
The steering column clockspring airbag (Pierce PN 1799451) has become obsolete and will require replacement if it becomes damaged.
All Roto Rays, Division of Eastern Fire Equipment Services, are warranted to the purchaser for 3 years against defects in material or workmanship. During the warranty period products found to be defective will be repaired or replaced (at Eastern Fire Equipment Services option) without charge.
Husky XP pressure transducer troubleshooting procedure for transducer-related performance concerns.
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.
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.
This bulletin provides dealer guidance for MCC filter assemblies when the moisture indicator sight glass appears to show a âwetâ condition before installation, after installation, or on replacement filter assemblies.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2025, owners most often name: engine, electrical system, service brakes. 3 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.