2003 Pierce Custom Chassis Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension: control arm
On certain fire trucks equipped with an independent front suspension, a pitman arm might fracture under severe load caused by three loading conditions. In all cases, the front axle must be turned full left or right while (1) simultaneously backing up and braking hard, (2) driving one wheel over or against a curb or (3) steering the…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the original pitman arms with pitman arms made of higher strength material. The recall began on october 29, 2007. Owners may contact pierce at 920-832-3000.
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Steering
On certain fire trucks equipped with the all wheel steer option, the position of the front axle is sensed by an optical encoder mounted to the bottom of the front axle kingpin, which is protected from the elements by an outer case. This case shares a common grease cavity with the kingpin. Oil that leaches from the grease can migrate…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the encoders with new encoders with more robust seals. The control software will be updated to produce an error code and disable the rear steering function if unusual encoder inputs are detected.…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
On certain fire trucks with tandem steer axles. The trw tie-rod on the rear-most axle of a tandem axle is restrained from rotational movement by a pair of anti-rotation seals located at the ball socket joints. These anti-rotation seals will compress over time. If the anti-rotation seal allows too much motion, the seals can deteriorate,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rod. Notification to owners began november 7, 2003. Owners should contact pierce at 1-888-974-3723.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Pierce Custom Chassis model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Pierce Custom Chassis model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis
How do I know if my 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pierce dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V380000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Pierce models
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- 75' Aluminum Ladder1 complaints
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Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.