Recall 10V465 affects 686 2008-2010 Altec WC166, WC126A, WC166A, and WC126 vehicles for frame-rail cracks. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 686 2008-2010 WC166, WC126A, WC166A, and WC126 wood chipper utility vehicles because concentrated load at the axle mount can crack the frame rail flange. During loading, a broken frame can raise the risk of property damage and personal injury, and the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The frame rails on 2008-2010 Altec WC166, WC126A, WC166A, and WC126 wood chippers are the long structural members that carry the machine's weight and support the axle mounting points. The axle mount ties the wheel and suspension loads into those rails, so the rail flange has to spread those loads without cracking.
On affected units, concentrated loads at the axle mount press into the frame rail flange instead of being spread across enough structure. That stress can start cracks in the frame rails. As the chipper is towed and loaded in normal service, those cracks can grow and weaken the frame around the axle mount.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners and fleet operators should still look for visible cracks around the axle mount area during walkarounds, but the recall does not identify a driver warning, noise, or handling change that appears first.
Who's affected?
Covers four WC models across the 2008, 2009, and 2010 model years, all involving the body or structural component.
| 2009 Altec WC166 | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2010 Altec WC126A | body or structural component |
| 2008 Altec WC166 | body or structural component |
| 2009 Altec WC166A | body or structural component |
| 2008 Altec WC126 | body or structural component |
| 2009 Altec WC126 | body or structural component |
| 2009 Altec WC126A | body or structural component |
| 2010 Altec WC166A | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 686 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A frame that breaks during loading increases the risk of property damage and personal injury. Keep people clear of the loading area, avoid loading beyond normal use, and schedule the dealer inspection and repair before more work. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2010 Altec WC166, WC126A, WC166A, or WC126 is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832 to confirm the repair path and reference recall number 10V465 when you call.
- Schedule the free inspection and frame-rail repair or replacement, which fixes cracks at the axle mount.
- Bring the owner notice dated October 25, 2010 if you have it.
- Avoid loading the wood chipper until Altec confirms the frame repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Altec technician inspects the wood chipper frame rails near the axle mount, where concentrated loads can crack the frame rail flange. The technician repairs the frame rail or replaces the affected parts based on what the inspection finds. Because the remedy status is not listed as available, confirm timing with Altec before arranging service. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| October 5, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 25, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V465?
Recall 10V465 covers 686 2008-2010 Altec WC166, WC126A, WC166A, and WC126 wood chipper utility vehicles with frame rails that can crack near the axle mount. In NHTSA campaign 10V465, the stated risk is property damage and personal injury while loading. Altec dealers inspect and repair or replace the affected parts for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2010 Altec WC166, WC126A, WC166A, or WC126 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific wood chipper utility vehicle is included in recall 10V465. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec at 1-877-462-5832 to arrange inspection and repair. Reference recall number 10V465 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Altec's remedy states that dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected parts free of charge. That applies to covered vehicles included in recall 10V465.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is frame damage during loading. NHTSA campaign 10V465 says cracks can develop in the frame rails because of concentrated loads at the axle mount, and the frame can break while loading, increasing the risk of property damage and personal injury.
What if I bought this Altec wood chipper used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Altec wood chipper utility vehicle is included, then call an Altec dealer or 1-877-462-5832 with recall number 10V465.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V465000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V465 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V465000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →