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Campaign 11V551 Posted November 10, 2011 59 units

2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Pierce Recall 11V551: Door

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 11V551 covers 59 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Pierce fire apparatus for SCBA door latches. Repair is free at any franchised Pierce dealer.

Pierce issued recall 11V551 for 59 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Arrow Xt, Custom Contender, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire apparatus bodies with dual SCBA cylinder compartments whose door latches were built in the wrong orientation. If a compartment door opens while driving, SCBA cylinders can fall onto the roadway and raise the risk of a crash or pedestrian injury; the Pierce dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

On affected 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Pierce Arrow Xt, Custom Contender, Dash, Enforcer, Impel, Quantum, Saber, and Velocity fire apparatus, the issue is in the dual SCBA cylinder storage compartment door. SCBA cylinders hold breathing air for firefighters, and the compartment is built into the rear body so those cylinders stay stored and contained while the apparatus is moving.

The problem is the latch orientation on the compartment door. Pierce says the latch was manufactured incorrectly, so the door is not secured the way it was designed to be secured. During travel, that incorrect latch position allows the door to open on its own, leaving the compartment unsecured while the apparatus is in motion.

There is no warning sign before failure. The door can open without warning and without the driver's knowledge, so the crew is not given a clear signal from the cab before the compartment door opens.

Who's affected?

Every listed model points to the same body door structure component.

2010 Pierce Impel body structure
2009 Pierce Impel body structure
2010 Pierce Velocity body structure
2011 Pierce Custom Contender body structure
2005 Pierce Quantum body structure
Units affected59

A matching Pierce model year and model name does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.

What's the safety risk?

If the compartment door opens, SCBA cylinders can fall onto the roadway. That creates crash risk and injury risk for pedestrians. Keep the compartment secured and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Pierce dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 Pierce Impel, Velocity, Custom Contender, Quantum, Enforcer, Arrow Xt, Dash, or Saber is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Pierce customer service at 1-920-832-3000 for current repair instructions before scheduling service.
  3. Schedule the free SCBA compartment door repair that adds a reinforcement plate so the storage door stays closed while the vehicle is moving.
  4. Reference recall number 11V551 when you call Pierce or the service provider.
  5. Inspect and secure the SCBA compartment door before each trip until the repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Pierce technician checks the SCBA cylinder storage compartment door and installs a flat reinforcement plate that spans the length of the SCBA door. The added plate reinforces the door area tied to the latch orientation problem, so the compartment door stays secured while the apparatus is moving. The dealer repair described for this recall is free once the service desk confirms the campaign is open for your VIN.

Timeline

November 10, 2011 NHTSA published the recall
December 5, 2011 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 11V551?

Recall 11V551 covers 59 Pierce 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 fire apparatus bodies with dual SCBA cylinder storage compartments. The compartment door latch was built in the wrong orientation, so the door can open while the vehicle is moving.

What should I do if my 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, or 2011 Pierce fire apparatus is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm whether your Pierce apparatus is included in recall 11V551. If it is, contact a franchised Pierce dealer and reference recall 11V551. The dealer installs a flat reinforcement plate across the SCBA door at no cost.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Pierce's remedy says dealers install the SCBA door reinforcement plate free of charge. The recall repair began on December 5, 2011.

What is the safety risk in recall 11V551?

The safety risk is loose SCBA cylinders falling from the compartment into the roadway. If the door opens while the apparatus is moving, the cylinders can increase the risk of a crash or injury to pedestrians. The dealer repair secures the door with a reinforcement plate.

Are there warning signs before the SCBA door opens?

There is no warning sign before the SCBA compartment door opens. The filing says the door can open without driver knowledge while the vehicle is in motion. If your VIN is included, arrange the free Pierce dealer repair and ask Pierce at 1-920-832-3000 about service logistics.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V551000
Pierce customer service1-920-832-3000
NHTSA recall #11V551
NHTSA recall # (full)11V551000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →