The Used Car Index

2008 Pierce Custom Contender problems

No complaints are listed for the 2008 Pierce Custom Contender. NHTSA's API and bulk file list none in this build.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as PIERCE CUSTOM CONTENDER.

At a glance

Complaints
0
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
724
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
38

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Model-generated complaint tags: No complaints are listed for tagging.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

12V523000

Date: 2012-10-31. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: Pierce is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Contender fire trucks manufactured from December 26, 2006, through March 28, 2008, equipped with a Caterpillar C9 engine due to an engine software problem which can cause the engine's RPM's to surge while in pump mode.

Consequence: The surge can cause a fluctuation in water pressure from the fire hose and could result in personal injury.

Remedy: Pierce has already remedied all of the affected vehicles by updating the engine software, therefore, owner notifications will not be sent. Owners may contact Pierce at 1-920-832-3000.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V527000

Date: 2011-11-01. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).

Defect: 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 ROA (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

10V300000

Date: 2010-06-28. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

09V389000

Date: 2009-10-06. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

09V203000

Date: 2009-06-08. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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 TH (excerpt)

Consequence: WITH A BROKEN SAS DRIVING TAB, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

EA11008

Opened: 2011-06-27. Closed: 2012-11-09.

Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode

On January 10, 2011 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-001) based on a Product Improvement Program (PIP) (ODI TSB #10036912) submitted by Caterpillar dated August 18, 2010.The PIP was intended to address engine RPMs that could surge while the fire fighting vehicle was in a water pumping mode.This engine surge could cause significant fluctuations in wat

Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

Linked campaign numbers: 12V523000, 15V760000.

Manufacturer communications

38 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
ENGINE4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION1

11037322

Date: 2026-08-18. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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.

11036069

Date: 2026-06-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Husky XP pressure transducer troubleshooting procedure for transducer-related performance concerns.

11034150

Date: 2026-06-02. Type: Other. Systems: SUSPENSION.

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.

11034152

Date: 2026-06-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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.

11033184

Date: 2026-05-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This bulletin provides dealer guidance for MCC filter assemblies when the moisture indicator sight glass appears to show a a weta condition before installation, after installation, or on replacement filter assemblies.

11033182

Date: 2026-05-12. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Pierce has created a new style bracket that is more tolerant of stress and vibrations created from driving. This new design will allow for a longer in-service life over the old and reduce maintenance of the condenser and condenser components.

11033183

Date: 2026-05-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This bulletin covers the proper procedure for the replacement/installation of grip tape on hose bed grating.

11029796

Date: 2026-02-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Pierce apparatus equipped with Command Zone multiplexing uses the cab power distribution area for determining the vehicle system voltage. However, because of voltage drop between the batteries and the cab distribution area, this is not a true representation of actual system voltage. To improve the

11028651

Date: 2026-01-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

TCU Module software patch was created to prevent and resolve the following failure modes: a ? Prognostics Not Resetting or not Staying Reset after a battery cycle. a ? Cannot Access PierceCZ.com (HTTP ERROR 500) The procedure below outlines what part/s are needed to resolve the issue.

11026858

Date: 2025-12-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This bulletin covers the proper start-up and shut-down procedures, using the battery and ignition switches. Using an incorrect order of operations of the battery disconnect and ignition switches may cause unpredictable electrical system failures and may potentially void the warranty of the alternato

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.
  • NHTSA's complaints API and bulk file list no complaint for this make, model and model year in this data build.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
CUSTOM CONTENDER0

Same model, other years

All model years | All Pierce models

Other Pierce models, 2008

Sources

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