Recall 11V397 affects 4,500 2009-2011 Altec Service Body vehicles for compartment door latch failure. Inspection and replacement are free through Altec.
Altec is recalling 4,500 2009-2011 Service Body vehicles because a compartment latch can fail in the secondary safety catch position. If the primary latch is not engaged, the door can open during transit and let a person or object fall from the vehicle; the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The service body on 2009-2011 Altec Service Body vehicles has exterior storage compartments for tools, equipment, and job-site materials. Each compartment door uses a latch to hold the door shut during driving. The secondary safety catch is the backup catch that helps keep the door from swinging open if the latch is not fully seated.
In affected service bodies, the compartment latch can fail while it is resting in that secondary safety catch position. That means the door looks partly caught, but the backup catch does not hold it as intended. A compartment door that is not fully latched is not secured the way it should be before the vehicle moves.
There is no warning sign before failure. Before driving, check that each compartment door is fully closed and latched, not only caught on the backup catch.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years with the same latch component.
| 2011 Altec Service Body | Latch |
|---|---|
| 2010 Altec Service Body | Latch |
| 2009 Altec Service Body | Latch |
| Units affected | 4,500 |
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?
If the compartment door is not fully latched, it can open while the vehicle is moving. A person or object can fall from the service body, causing injury or property damage. Before operating the vehicle, confirm each compartment door is latched. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Altec Service Body is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 for the current repair instructions before putting the service body back in use.
- Inspect each utility-body compartment door latch for the secondary safety-catch failure, then replace any latch that does not hold in that position.
- Reference recall number 11V397 when you call Altec or discuss the latch inspection.
- Secure all compartment doors before travel so a door does not open during transit.
What happens at the repair
Altec's repair process starts with an inspection of the compartment door latches. The latch has to hold in the secondary safety catch position. If it does not, an Altec technician replaces the latch with one that holds properly. The filing does not give a current scheduling status, so confirm repair availability before arranging service. The dealer repair will be free once available, and the stated service is performed at no charge.
Timeline
| August 3, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 7, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V397?
Recall 11V397 covers 4,500 2009-2011 Altec Service Body vehicles with compartment door latches that can fail in the secondary safety-catch position. If the primary latch is not engaged, a compartment door can open during transit. Altec provides the inspection and needed latch replacement for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Altec Service Body is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V397. If it is, inspect the compartment door latches as Altec directs, then arrange free replacement of any latch that does not hold in the secondary latching position. Call Altec at 1-877-462-5832 for recall instructions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost, and Altec states this service is free of charge. For recall 11V397, the remedy is inspection of the compartment door latches and replacement of any latch that fails to hold in the secondary safety-catch position.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 11V397 is an unsecured compartment door opening while the vehicle is moving. If the primary latch is not engaged and the secondary catch fails, a person or object can fall from the vehicle during operation, causing injury or property damage.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V397000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V397 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V397000 |
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 →