Recall 11V097 covers 108 2008-2009 Pierce Arrow Xt vehicles with loose air-cleaner bracket fasteners. Repair is free at any franchised Pierce dealer.
Pierce is recalling 108 2008-2009 Arrow Xt vehicles built with Caterpillar C13 2007 engines because upper air cleaner bracket fasteners can loosen and fall out. If the air cleaner and bracket fall onto the engine, an under-cab fire can affect engine operation and increase crash risk; the Pierce dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The air cleaner on 2008-2009 Pierce Arrow Xt vehicles with Caterpillar C13 2007 engines filters incoming air before it reaches the engine. Its bracket holds that air cleaner in place above the engine, so the intake system stays secured while the vehicle runs, vibrates, and moves under load.
On affected vehicles, the three upper air cleaner bracket fasteners loosen and fall out. Once those fasteners are gone, the air cleaner and bracket are no longer secured as designed. The assembly can drop onto the engine, where hot engine surfaces or moving components create a fire risk.
There is no warning sign before failure. The fasteners sit under the hood, so the bracket can loosen before the driver notices a change from the seat.
Who's affected?
Both model years point to the same engine and engine cooling component.
| 2009 Pierce Arrow Xt | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2008 Pierce Arrow Xt | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 108 |
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?
An under-cab fire can affect engine operation and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon, and keep the vehicle out of service if fire damage is suspected. Repair will be free at any franchised Pierce dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2009 Pierce Arrow Xt is included in this recall.
- Contact Pierce customer service at 1-888-974-3723 to confirm the repair path for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 11V097 when you call a franchised Pierce dealer.
- Ask the Pierce dealer to repair the upper air cleaner bracket fasteners so the air cleaner and bracket stay secured above the engine.
- Avoid operating the vehicle until Pierce or the dealer confirms the bracket repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Pierce's filing says owners and dealers were to be notified, and dealers were to repair the vehicles free of charge. At the dealer, a Pierce technician addresses the upper air cleaner bracket fastener condition on the Caterpillar C13 engine so the air cleaner and bracket stay secured to the engine. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 11V097.
Timeline
| February 14, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V097?
Recall 11V097 covers 108 2008-2009 Pierce Arrow Xt vehicles built with Caterpillar C13 2007 engines. The three upper air cleaner bracket fasteners can loosen and fall out, letting the air cleaner and bracket fall onto the engine and start a fire.
What should I do if my 2008-2009 Pierce Arrow Xt is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V097. If it is, contact a Pierce dealer to schedule the air cleaner bracket fastener repair. Reference recall number 11V097 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Pierce told owners that dealers would repair the vehicles free of charge. Pierce also listed 1-888-974-3723 for owner questions about this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an under-cab fire. If the loose fasteners let the air cleaner and bracket fall onto the engine, a fire can affect engine operation and lead to a crash. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Pierce Arrow Xt used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2008-2009 Pierce Arrow Xt is included, then reference recall number 11V097 when you contact a Pierce dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V097000 |
|---|---|
| Pierce customer service | 1-888-974-3723 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V097 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V097000 |
Source documents
-
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 →