Recall 10V302 affects 273 2009-2010 Pierce fire trucks for excessive paint on wheel mounting surfaces. Dealers tighten lug nuts for free at franchised Pierce dealers.
Pierce is recalling 273 2009-2010 Pierce fire trucks under recall 10V302 because excessive paint on the steel wheel mounting surfaces can reduce lug-nut clamp load. Lug nuts can loosen and fall off, and a wheel can separate and cause a crash; the Pierce dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheel lugs and lug nuts on 2009-2010 Pierce fire trucks hold each steel wheel tight against the hub. The lug nuts create clamp load, which is the squeezing force that keeps the wheel seated while the truck turns, brakes, and carries weight. That contact surface needs clean metal-to-metal grip.
On affected Pierce trucks, too much paint was left on the steel wheel mounting surfaces. Paint between the wheel and hub compresses and shifts after the lug nuts are tightened. As that layer changes, the lug nuts lose clamp load. Once the clamping force drops, the nuts loosen and can fall off the studs.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first visible clue can be missing or loose lug nuts during an inspection, so this defect is not something a driver can reliably feel from the cab.
Who's affected?
The listed model years are tied to the same wheel fastener component.
| 2010 Pierce Pierce | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
|---|---|
| 2009 Pierce Pierce | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| Units affected | 273 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose or under-torqued wheel nuts can let a wheel separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Until the lug nuts are checked and tightened, avoid unnecessary driving and arrange service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Pierce dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Pierce Pierce fire truck is included in this recall.
- Contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 to confirm the repair path for recall number 10V302.
- Ask a franchised Pierce service location to check wheel-nut torque and tighten the lug nuts to the Pierce chassis manual specification, which addresses the excessive paint that lets the lug nuts loosen.
- Bring the recall notice if Pierce mailed one, and reference recall number 10V302 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the wheel-nut torque check is complete. Stop the truck if a wheel feels loose or lug nuts are missing.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Pierce technician checks the wheel nut torque and tightens the lug nuts to the recommended torque listed in the Pierce Custom Chassis and Maintenance Manual. This addresses the wheel mounting issue described in campaign 10V302, where excessive paint on the steel wheel mounting surfaces can let lug nuts lose clamp load. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| June 28, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 31, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V302?
Recall 10V302 covers 273 2009-2010 Pierce fire trucks built with excessive paint on the steel wheel mounting surfaces. That paint can reduce wheel lug nut clamp load, letting the lug nuts loosen and fall off. Pierce dealers check and tighten the wheel nuts for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Pierce Pierce is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 10V302. If it is, contact a Pierce dealer or Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 to arrange the wheel nut torque check and lug nut tightening. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Pierce says dealers will check the wheel nut torque and tighten the lug nuts to the recommended torque free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation, which increases crash risk. Excessive paint on the wheel mounting surfaces can let the lug nuts lose clamp load, loosen, and fall off. The fix is a free dealer torque check and lug nut tightening.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V302000 |
|---|---|
| Pierce customer service | 1-888-974-3723 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V302 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V302000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →