Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit
Manufacturer
PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC.
Vehicles affected
45
Reported to NHTSA
2002-01-22
Defect description
ON CERTAIN FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY (FIRE-RAY) STROBE WARNING LIGHTS, THE STROBE LIGHT HOUSING WAS MADE FROM AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL AND A PERSON COULD RECEIVE A SEVERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK IF THEY CAME IN CONTACT WITH A VEHICLE OPERATING THE FIRE-RAY STROBE LIGHTS.
Safety risk
THIS CONDITION COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING SHOULD A SMALL CHILD OR A PERSON WITH A HEART CONDITION EXPERIENCE A SEVERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK. ALSO, A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD EXISTS.
Manufacturer remedy
FEDERAL SIGNAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS TO RETURN THE DEFECTIVE LIGHTS FOR A REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FEDERAL SIGNAL'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 800-433-9132 OR PIERCE AT 920-832-3000.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OSHKOSH ALL-STEER ALL-WHEEL STEERING SYSTEM. THE REAR WHEELS OF A FIRE ENGINE CAN TURN UNINTENTIONALLY IF THE ALL-WHEEL STEERING SYSTEM KEY IS ON AND MOISTURE PENETRATES TO THE WIRE THAT CONNECTS THE STEERING SENSOR TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE INSULATION COVERING THE WIRES BETWEEN THE SENSOR AND THE ECU HAD BEEN NICKED DURING TIME OF ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THE NICK IN THE INSULATION ALLOWED MOISTURE TO PENETRATE TO THE ACTUAL WIRE.
Safety risk
UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER CAN EXPERIENCE UNINTENDED TURNING OF A SINGLE OR A TANDUM REAR AXLE, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A VEHICLE CRASH OR INJURY OR DEATH TO A PEDESTRIAN OR FIRE FIGHTER.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR NICKED WIRES AND REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETE.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Steering
1
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Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.