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2016 Pierce Saber

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
1Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

8Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
1Service Brakes
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

1 reports
15,030 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

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 REPEATE…

Read full complaint

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 TO EXPOSE THE FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH AN ABC DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER. TWO FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXPOSED TO SMOKE AND TOXIC GASES PRODUCED BY FLAMING COMBUSTION. BOTH WERE EVALUATED ON SCENE AND REFUSED FURTHER MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THAT TIME. THE FLAMES WERE SEEN BEHIND THE CIRCUIT BOARD/FUSE PANEL, BUT THE HEAT WAS CONDUCTED THROUGH THE PANEL CAUSING DAMAGE AND DISCOLORATION TO THE FRONT OF THE BOARD. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION BY A PIERCE CERTIFIED MECHANIC (EVS FIRE APPARATUS) INDICATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL ARCING CAUSED BY A COOLANT LEAK IN THE TRUCK'S HEATER CORE. HE REPORTED THAT THE FLUID HAD PENETRATED THE RELAY CONNECTED TO THE BACK OF THE BOARD THAT CONTROLLED THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS CASE APPEARS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S CASE #16V148000 AS THE TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY OF 2016, BUT WAS NEVER RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11192153

Official recalls

8

21V222000 · Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Mar 30, 2021

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

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."

Consequence: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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."

Consequence: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

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."

Consequence: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights

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."

Consequence: The excessive brightness may negatively affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

18V050000 · Equipment

Jan 11, 2018

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Quantum, Saber, Velocity, and Commercial emergency vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Pierce has notified owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 or Hale Products at 1-800-533-3569. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B287.

17V570000 · Steering; Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Sep 14, 2017

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles, equipped with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles, equipped with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.

Consequence: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000.

Steering

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity vehicles, equipped with certain Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.

Consequence: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-414-832-3000.

16V585000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Aug 5, 2016

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire trucks manufactured June 29, 2015, to June 30, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with certain C20 and C21 split-shaft transmissions from Waterous. This transmission sends power to the wheels of an emergency response vehicle or power to an add-on unit such as a water pump used for fighting fires. A component within the shift unit may be damaged and as a result, the operator may not be able to switch the power output.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the power output cannot be changed, once the fire truck arrives at the scene, it may not be able to pump water to aid in extinguishing the fire, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Piece will notify owners, and dealers will remove the shift unit assembly and replace the clevis pin and retaining rings, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B277.

16V390000 · Equipment

Jun 1, 2016

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity emergency vehicles manufactured August 4, 2015, to August 24, 2016, equipped with pumps to provide pressurized water to aid in fighting fires. These pumps have 6" intake strainers that may have been improperly soldered during production and, as a result, the strainers may come apart during use, allowing parts of the strainer and debris to enter the pump, possibly damaging the pump.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the strainer and/or debris enters the pump, and the operator is forced to shut down the pump, reducing firefighting effectiveness, there could be an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners to check the strainer for missing solder at the joints. Any strainers missing solder will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 or Hale Products Customer Service Center at 1-800-533-3569. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B272.

16V148000 · Electrical System:wiring

Mar 10, 2016

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Enforcer and Saber emergency vehicles manufactured from March 3, 2014, through February 3, 2016. The clamps on the heater hose may have been improperly installed allowing engine coolant to leak into the passenger compartment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If coolant leaks into the passenger compartment, it may contact electrical components causing a shorting of circuits and a loss of function of features controlled by those circuits, including loss of power to vehicle which may result in a stall and increase the risk of a crash. The hot coolant may also contact occupants and possibly cause burn injuries.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hose clamp installation. Any improperly installed clamps will be corrected free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B269.

16V123000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Mar 2, 2016

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2016 Arrow-XT, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire and emergency vehicles manufactured October 13, 2015, to February 9, 2016. The fastener cap over the bearing on the universal joint of the drive shaft may have been improperly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the cap was not properly tightened, the cap may detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard. Additionally, the universal joint may separate and the vehicle may not be able to be driven, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will check and correct the tightness of all bolts for the universal joint caps, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B270.

15V706000 · Power Train:axle Assembly

Oct 26, 2015

Pierce Manufacturing (Pierce) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Arrow XT, Velocity, Enforcer, and Saber vehicles manufactured November 20, 2014, to September 29, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with front drive axles whose hex nuts on the flange yoke may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hex nuts are not tightened to specification, the driveshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Pierce will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hex nuts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723. Pierce's number for this recall is 74B266.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.