Recall 13V390 affects 1,743 2012-2013 Altec Digger Derrick vehicles for loose winch motor bolts. Altec service checks and retorques them free.
Altec is recalling 1,743 2012-2013 Digger Derrick units under recall 13V390 because bolts that hold the winch motor to the winch can loosen. If those bolts loosen, the motor can detach and drop the load, creating an injury risk; the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The winch motor on an Altec Digger Derrick powers the winch that winds and controls the lifting line. On 2012-2013 Digger Derrick models D2/3/4 and DC/DL/DM, that motor is fastened to the winch with mounting bolts. Those bolts are supposed to hold the motor tight against the winch housing while the winch is under load.
In this recall, the bolts that attach the winch motor to the winch were not tightened correctly. As the winch is used, loose bolts let the motor move against the winch housing instead of staying clamped in place. That movement can damage the mounting area and reduce the winch's ability to hold and operate the line as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator should treat loose, missing, or visibly shifting winch motor hardware as a service concern, but the recall does not list a specific symptom that appears before the problem develops.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Altec Digger Derrick | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Altec Digger Derrick | Equipment |
| Units affected | 1,743 |
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?
Loose winch motor bolts can let the motor detach and drop the load, creating a personal injury risk for anyone near the equipment. Keep people clear of the suspended load and schedule the torque check and correction promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Altec Digger Derrick is included in this recall.
- Check for the Altec owner letter mailed September 12, 2013.
- Contact Altec service to schedule the free winch-motor bolt torque check that secures the motor to the winch.
- Reference recall number 13V390 and Altec recall CSN 586 when you call.
- Keep people clear of suspended loads until Altec service personnel inspect and correct the winch motor bolts.
What happens at the repair
The repair path is a service visit with Altec service personnel. Once available, the recall repair will be free. An Altec technician checks the torque on the bolts that attach the winch motor to the winch and corrects the torque if the bolts are loose or not tightened to specification. This work targets the winch motor mounting hardware named in campaign 13V390, not a full winch replacement.
Timeline
| August 28, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V390?
Recall 13V390 covers 1,743 2012-2013 Altec Digger Derrick units, including D2/3/4 and DC/DL/DM models, with winch motor bolts that were not properly tightened. Loose bolts can let the winch motor detach and drop the load. Altec service personnel will correct the bolt torque.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Altec Digger Derrick is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 13V390. If it is, contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832 or an Altec service representative and ask for recall CSN 586. Altec service personnel will check and correct the winch motor bolt torque.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V390, Altec service personnel will check the winch motor bolts and correct the torque without charging the owner for the recall work.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a dropped load from the winch. If the winch motor bolts loosen, the motor can detach from the winch and cause the load to fall, creating a personal injury risk. Keep lift operations limited until Altec completes the bolt torque correction.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V390000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V390 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V390000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →