Vehicle recall 03V380000 · October 8, 2003

1996-2003 Pierce Custom Chassis

On certain fire trucks with tandem steer axles.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: On certain fire trucks with tandem steer axles. The TRW tie-rod on the rear-most axle of a tandem axle is restrained from rotational movement by a pair of anti-rotation seals located at the ball socket joints. These anti-rotation seals will compress over time. If the anti-rotation seal allows too much motion, the seals can deteriorate, allowing contact between the ball socket and the ball shaft. This metal-to-metal contact will transmit forces into the tie-rod tube, causing fatigue failure initiating at the root of the female treads.
Consequence: Failure of the tie-rod will allow one of the wheels to swing to the limit of its steering stop, potentially causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rod. Notification to owners began November 7, 2003. Owners should contact pierce at 1-888-974-3723.
Notes: Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 03V380000
Reported to NHTSA: October 8, 2003
Filed by: PIERCE MANUFACTURING
Owner notification: November 7, 2003
Vehicles potentially affected: 202
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly

Recall 03V380000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Pierce Custom Chassis (1996-2003): 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996

Has your Pierce been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Pierce dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.