2011 Altec DIGGER DERRICK: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-09-01 (September 1, 2011)

ALTEC IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 DL/DM SERIES, D4000A, AND DB37 DIGGER DERRICK SERVICE UTILITY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2011 THROUGH APRIL 2011, EQUIPPED WITH PQ SINGLE AXIS BOOM CONTROLLERS. THE MECHANICAL INTERLOCK (LOCK OUT) MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence: IF THE CONTROL INTERLOCK DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE CONTROL HANDLE CAN BE ACCIDENTLY SHIFTED CAUSING MOVEMENT OF THE UNIT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: ALTEC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND ALTEC DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAND CONTROLLERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALTEC AT 1-877-GO-ALTEC (1-877-462-5832) FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Reported: 2011-12-21 (December 21, 2011)

ALTEC IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SURE POWER BATTERY SEPARATOR DEVICES, PART NUMBER 16511893 (MODEL 1314) OR 16512967 (MODEL 1315). THE BATTERY SEPARATOR CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE BATTERY SEPARATOR CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: ALTEC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BATTER SEPARATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALTEC AT 1-877-462-5832.

Reported: 2012-08-30 (August 30, 2012)

Altec Industries, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Digger Derrick vehicles equipped with a PENGO digger extension shaft. A defect in the base material at the weld joint may result in a stress fracture through the applied weld of the drive hub to the hex bar material.

Consequence: The stress fracture could cause the extension shaft to separate from the drive hub when digging, increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners, and will inspect the PENGO digger extension shaft and, as necessary, replace the shaft, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Altec Industries at 1-877-462-5832.

Reported: 2013-04-11 (April 11, 2013)

Altec Industries, Inc (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 DC, and DL/DM Digger Derrick utility trucks, equipped with boom tip winches using Tulsa Winch Group (formerly Gear Products) winch drums. In the affected vehicles, the winch drum could deform or fracture.

Consequence: If the winch fails while in use, it could cause personal injury.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners and dealers will replace the winch drum, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Altec's recall campaign number is CSN 574.

Reported: 2013-12-18 (December 18, 2013)

Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 DT80, and model year 2011-2013 D2, D3 and D4 digger derrick models manufactured June 2009 through November 2013. The fasteners that hold the bracket for the feeder tube (the telescopic hydraulic tube that supplies pump flow to the auger) may become loose allowing the feeder tube to fall.

Consequence: A falling feeder tube increases the risk of injury to people nearby.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners, and Altec service centers will install an upgraded feeder tube bracket and mounting hardware, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2014. Owners may contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 591.

Reported: 2014-08-15 (August 15, 2014)

Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2000-2013 Aerial Device and Digger Derrick trucks, equipped with Sure Power Battery Equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.

Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected battery equalizer, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 603.

Reported: 2018-11-09 (November 9, 2018)

Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2008-2018 Altec AC18, AC23, AC26, AC30 and AC38 Cranes and D2B, D3A, D4A/B, DL42B, DT65 and DT80 Digger Derrick vehicles. The wiring on the 12V circuit from the chassis battery to the Power Distribution Module (PDM) may be insufficiently sized.

Consequence: The insufficiently sized wire may overheat, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring to the PDM, with a larger wire and/or replace the circuit breaker, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2019. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 703.

Reported: 2019-02-27 (February 27, 2019)

Altec Industries, Inc (Altec) is recalling certain 2003-2019 Altec DL/DM, DL/DMB, and DC Digger Derrick vehicles. The pedestal tube welds may crack over time.

Consequence: Unrepaired cracks may result in failure of the pedestal and uncontrolled movement increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners and will provide repairs as necessary and a reinforcing kit. The recall began April 3, 2019. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 713.

Reported: 2019-05-13 (May 13, 2019)

Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2009-2019 DL/DM, DL/DMB, DH, D/2/3/4, and DC Digger Derrick vehicles. The slope indicator placard card may falsely indicate that the unit could be used without leveling on a 5 degree slope.

Consequence: An operator may improperly set up the unit, making the unit unstable, thus increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Altec will notify owners, and issue CSN 719 to owners, instructing them to remove the incorrect placards, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2019. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 719.

Reported: 2023-09-14 (September 14, 2023)

Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2004-2023 DL42 and DL45 Digger Derricks. The incorrect hydraulic load holding valve may have been installed, which can cause the winch to lower uncontrollably and the load to fall.

Consequence: An uncontrolled load falling increases the risk of injury to personnel or others nearby.

Remedy: Altec will replace the load holding valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 6, 2023. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is MAB 3113.

Reported: 2025-08-29 (August 29, 2025)

Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2011-2025 Aerial Device, Digger Derrick, and 2022-2025 Service Body vehicles. The cable step wire rope assembly may be improperly secured, which can allow the cable entry step to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence: A cable step that fails during use increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Altec will provide owners with instructions to inspect the cable crimps. If the cables are improperly crimped, Altec will provide instructions and a kit to replace the wire rope assemblies. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2025. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN-3246.