Recall 14V243 covers 150 2013 Pierce Dash Cf, Arrow Xt, Impel, and Velocity vehicles for seat belt buckles that stay partly latched. Repair is free.
Pierce is recalling 150 2013 Dash Cf, Arrow Xt, Impel, and Velocity vehicles under recall 14V243 because IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles can leave the latch plate partly engaged after the release button is pressed. A stuck buckle can slow exit from the vehicle during an emergency and raise the risk of injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat belt buckle in affected 2013 Pierce Dash Cf, Arrow Xt, Impel, and Velocity vehicles is the receiver that locks the latch plate at the end of the belt. When an occupant buckles in, the latch plate clicks into the buckle and holds the belt closed until the release button is pressed. That locked connection is what keeps the belt positioned during normal travel.
On these vehicles, the IMMI-brand L9 buckle does not release cleanly. When the button is pressed, the latch plate can stay partly caught in the buckle instead of coming free. That makes the belt difficult to unlatch after the occupant tries to release it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up when someone presses the release button and the latch plate remains partially engaged with the buckle.
Who's affected?
Covers four Pierce fire truck models from the 2013 model year, all tied to the same seat belt component.
| 2013 Pierce Dash Cf | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2013 Pierce Arrow Xt | seat belt |
| 2013 Pierce Impel | seat belt |
| 2013 Pierce Velocity | seat belt |
| Units affected | 150 |
A matching 2013 Pierce model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt buckle latch plate that stays partly engaged after the release button is pressed can slow exit from the vehicle. In an emergency, delayed egress increases the risk of injury. Treat a buckle that sticks or releases incompletely as a service issue. Repair will be free at any franchised Pierce dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Pierce Dash Cf, Arrow Xt, Impel, or Velocity is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Pierce dealer to schedule the free seat-belt-buckle inspection and replacement that fixes the buckle that can stay partly latched after release.
- Bring the recall notice if Pierce mailed one, and reference recall number 14V243 when you call.
- Tell the dealer the vehicle has IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles so the service desk can match the recall repair.
- Call Pierce at 1-888-974-3723 with questions about scheduling or the free dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
Although the source remedy says the recall began on June 26, 2014, the current remedy status was not provided in this input. Pierce's remedy is for a Pierce technician to inspect the IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckle and replace the buckle when needed. The dealer repair will be free once available. The inspection focuses on the buckle release, where the latch plate can remain partly engaged after the button is pressed.
Timeline
| May 13, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 26, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V243?
Recall 14V243 covers 150 2013 Pierce Dash Cf, Arrow Xt, Impel, and Velocity vehicles equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. The buckle latch plate can stay partly engaged after the release button is pressed, making the belt hard to unlatch.
What should I do if my 2013 Pierce Dash Cf, Arrow Xt, Impel, or Velocity is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V243. If it is included, contact a franchised Pierce dealer to schedule a seat belt buckle inspection and replacement if needed. Reference Pierce campaign 74B246 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Pierce dealers will inspect and replace the affected seat belt buckle free of charge. The repair campaign began on June 26, 2014.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed exit from the vehicle during an emergency. If the latch plate stays partly engaged after the button is pressed, occupants can have trouble unlatching the seat belt, increasing injury risk during emergency egress.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a seat belt that is difficult to unlatch after pressing the release button. That symptom matches the buckle issue described in recall 14V243. If your VIN is included, have a Pierce dealer inspect the buckle and replace it if needed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V243000 |
|---|---|
| Pierce customer service | 1-888-974-3723 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V243 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V243000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →