Recall 11V238 covers 132 2009-2010 Altec DC912A chippers with lug nuts that can loosen. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 132 2009-2010 DC912A chipper units because wheel lug nuts can loosen and allow the wheel or tire to come off while traveling. If that happens, death or serious injury can result, and the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheel lug nuts on a 2009-2010 Altec DC912A chipper hold each wheel tightly against the hub. They thread onto wheel studs, which are fixed bolts mounted to the axle. When the nuts stay tight, the wheel and tire remain clamped in place while the chipper is being towed.
On affected DC912A units, the lug nuts can loosen during travel. Once the clamp load is lost, the wheel no longer sits firmly against the hub. Continued towing can let the wheel or tire separate from the chipper while it is moving.
There is no warning sign before failure. A loose wheel can show vibration, wobble, or noise if it has already begun to move, but the recall does not identify a reliable early symptom owners can count on.
Who's affected?
Covers the DC912A across the 2009 and 2010 model years, with the same wheel fastener issue listed for both years.
| 2010 Altec DC912A | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
|---|---|
| 2009 Altec DC912A | wheel fastener (lug, nut, bolt, or stud) |
| Units affected | 132 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A wheel and tire separating while the vehicle is traveling creates a direct risk of death or serious injury. Treat this as a serious wheel-retention defect and arrange service promptly, especially if a wheel has been loose before. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Altec DC912A is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to confirm the repair path before moving the chipper unit.
- Schedule the free wheel-hub, drum, rim, and lug-nut service that fixes wheels loosening and coming off while traveling.
- Bring the recall notice if Altec mailed one. If not, reference recall number 11V238 when you call.
- Avoid towing or operating the chipper unit until Altec confirms the wheel repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The remedy on file calls for Altec to replace the axle hub and drum assemblies and the wheel rims that have repeatedly loosened. Once the dealer repair is available, an Altec technician performs that replacement work under recall 11V238. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. The record does not give a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the chipper needs to stay at the shop when you schedule the work.
Timeline
| April 14, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 20, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V238?
Recall 11V238 covers 132 2009-2010 Altec DC912A chipper units with wheel lug nuts that can loosen and let a wheel or tire come off while traveling. Altec will replace affected axle hub/drums and wheel rims for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Altec DC912A is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chipper unit is included in recall 11V238. If it is, contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832 to arrange the free hub/drum and wheel rim repair. Reference recall number 11V238 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Altec's recall remedy says this service will be performed free of charge. The covered repair replaces the affected axle hub/drums and wheel rims.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is wheel separation while the chipper is traveling. If a wheel and tire comes off, death or serious injury can result. Confirm whether your VIN is included, then arrange the free Altec repair before using the unit for road travel.
When did the Altec DC912A recall repair start?
The safety recall began on April 20, 2011. Because that date has passed, affected owners can contact Altec now at 1-877-462-5832 to arrange the free repair for recall 11V238.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V238000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V238 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V238000 |
Source documents
-
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →