Recall 12V423 affects 2,193 2011-2012 Altec Digger Derrick vehicles because the PENGO digger extension shaft can fracture. Repair is free through Altec.
Altec is recalling 2,193 2011-2012 Digger Derrick vehicles under recall 12V423 because a PENGO digger extension shaft has defective base material at the weld joint. A stress fracture can let the extension shaft separate from the drive hub while digging. That increases the risk of injury or property damage, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The PENGO digger extension shaft on the 2011-2012 Altec Digger Derrick is part of the digging equipment that transfers turning force from the digger drive to the auger. The drive hub and hex bar have to stay locked together at the welded joint so the shaft can carry that load while the auger works in the ground.
On affected Digger Derrick vehicles, the base material at that weld joint is defective. Under digging loads, that weak area can form a stress fracture through the weld that attaches the drive hub to the hex bar. Once the weld fractures, the shaft no longer holds the drive connection as designed, and the digging equipment can fail during operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. An operator should not count on a sound, warning light, or visible change before the weld gives way.
Who's affected?
Covers both 2011 and 2012 model years for the same Digger Derrick equipment component.
| 2011 Altec Digger Derrick | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Altec Digger Derrick | Equipment |
| Units affected | 2,193 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A stress fracture in the PENGO digger extension shaft can let the shaft separate from the drive hub while digging. That separation increases the risk of personal injury or property damage. Stop using the digger if the shaft shows damage or abnormal movement, and arrange inspection before more digging. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Altec Digger Derrick is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to confirm repair timing and ask where to take the vehicle.
- Reference recall number 12V423 when you call or when you speak with the service location.
- Schedule the PENGO digger extension shaft inspection and replacement that addresses the shaft separation risk while digging.
- Stop digging work with the vehicle until Altec confirms the extension shaft has been inspected or replaced.
What happens at the repair
Altec's remedy calls for an Altec technician to inspect the PENGO digger extension shaft. If the inspection finds damage or a shaft that needs replacement, the technician replaces the shaft at no charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012, but the final dealer repair should be treated as VIN specific. The dealer repair will be free once available for your vehicle.
Timeline
| August 30, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 12, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V423?
Recall 12V423 covers 2,193 2011-2012 Altec Digger Derrick vehicles with PENGO digger extension shafts. A material defect at the weld joint can fracture during digging, letting the extension shaft separate from the drive hub and increasing injury or property-damage risk.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Altec Digger Derrick is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V423. If it is, contact an Altec service location or franchised Altec dealer to arrange inspection of the PENGO digger extension shaft and replacement if needed. Reference recall number 12V423 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Altec will inspect the PENGO digger extension shaft and replace it if needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 12V423 is separation of the digger extension shaft from the drive hub during digging. That failure can increase the risk of personal injury or property damage. Keep the vehicle out of digging service until Altec completes the inspection and any needed shaft replacement.
What if I bought this Altec Digger Derrick used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Digger Derrick is included, then contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832 or a franchised Altec dealer with recall number 12V423.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V423000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V423 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V423000 |
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 →