Recall 16V581 affects 57 2015-2016 Ferrara Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, and Inferno fire trucks for damaged shift units. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrara dealer.
Ferrara is recalling 57 2015-2016 Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, and Inferno fire trucks because a Waterous split-shaft transmission shift unit can be damaged and prevent the operator from changing power output. If that happens at a fire scene, the truck can lose its ability to pump water, increasing injury risk; Ferrara dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2015-2016 Ferrara Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, and Inferno fire trucks in this recall use a Waterous C20 or C21 split-shaft transmission shift unit. In normal use, that unit directs power either to the drive wheels or to equipment such as the water pump used during firefighting. The shift unit has clevis pins held by retaining rings, which keep the linkage connected while the operator changes the power output.
The defect is in those retaining rings. During installation, the pliers used to fit the rings were out of adjustment, which opened the rings past their normal elastic limit and left them deformed. Under high vibration during shifting, a damaged ring can dislodge. If that happens, the shift linkage can lose its position, and the operator can be unable to switch power between driving and pump operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The affected retaining rings are visually deformed, but that is an inspection finding, not something an operator is expected to feel from the cab.
Who's affected?
Covers the Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, and Inferno lines across the 2015 and 2016 model years, all with the same manual transmission component.
| 2015 Ferrara Igniter | manual transmission |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ferrara Igniter | manual transmission |
| 2015 Ferrara Cinder | manual transmission |
| 2016 Ferrara Intruder | manual transmission |
| 2015 Ferrara Intruder | manual transmission |
| 2016 Ferrara Cinder | manual transmission |
| 2015 Ferrara Inferno | manual transmission |
| 2016 Ferrara Inferno | manual transmission |
| Units affected | 57 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
When power output cannot be changed after the fire truck reaches a scene, the truck can lose the ability to pump water for firefighting, increasing injury risk. Treat this as a service readiness issue, and schedule the repair before relying on the truck for fire response. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrara dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Ferrara Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, or Inferno is included in this recall.
- Contact a Ferrara service dealer to schedule the free shift-unit repair that restores split-shaft transmission power-output control.
- Bring the recall notice if Ferrara mailed one, and reference recall number 16V581 when you schedule service.
- Call Ferrara customer service at 1-225-567-7100 with repair questions.
- Brief operators that the transmission defect affects switching power output for pumping until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ferrara technician removes the shift unit assembly, replaces the clevis pin and retaining rings, then reinstalls the assembly so the split shaft transmission can switch power output as intended. Parts and labor are free under the recall. The work addresses the damaged shift unit component described in campaign 16V581. Contact Ferrara customer service or your Ferrara service desk to arrange the repair for an included truck.
Timeline
| August 4, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 5, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| September 5, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 16, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V581?
Recall 16V581 covers 57 2015-2016 Ferrara Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, and Inferno fire trucks with Waterous C20 or C21 split-shaft transmissions. A damaged shift-unit component can prevent the operator from changing power output. Ferrara will replace the clevis pin and retaining rings for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Ferrara Igniter, Cinder, Intruder, or Inferno is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 16V581. If it is, contact Ferrara customer service at 1-225-567-7100 and reference recall 16V581. Ferrara's repair removes the shift unit assembly and replaces the clevis pin and retaining rings for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ferrara's remedy for recall 16V581 is free. The repair replaces the clevis pin and retaining rings in the shift unit assembly.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V581?
The risk is loss of water-pump power at a fire scene. Under recall 16V581, the transmission shift unit can fail to change power output, which can stop the fire truck from pumping water to help extinguish a fire and increase injury risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V581000 |
|---|---|
| Ferrara customer service | 1-225-567-7100 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V581 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V581000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →