Recall 13V565 covers 156 2000-2012 Sutphen Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112 and Sai 110 fire apparatus for ladder-extension bearing failure. Repairs were completed free.
Sutphen is recalling 156 2000-2012 fire apparatus, including Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112, and Sai 110 models, because ladder extension bearings can seize and make the extension cables chafe and fail. If the extend or retract system fails, the aerial can unexpectedly retract and injure personnel on or around the vehicle; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The ladder extension system on 2000-2012 Sutphen Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112, and Sai 110 fire apparatus uses bearings as pulley points for the extension cables. Those cables pass over the bearings as the aerial ladder moves out and back. When the bearings turn freely, the cables move with less friction and the ladder extends as designed.
On affected apparatus, the extension bearings can seize instead of rotating. When a bearing locks up, the cable still moves across it, but the contact point becomes a hard rubbing surface. That rubbing can chafe the cable until strands are damaged and the cable fails. A failed extension cable affects the ladder extension system, so this is a ladder operation problem, not a cosmetic equipment issue.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the filing does not identify a driver-visible symptom, treat the issue as hidden until the ladder system is inspected and repaired.
Who's affected?
Spans the Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112, and Sai 110 truck lines across 2000-2012, all tied to the Equipment component label.
| 2011 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2010 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2004 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2009 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2003 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2012 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2003 Sutphen Sp 110 | Equipment |
| 2003 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2005 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2008 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2009 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2011 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2003 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2005 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2007 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2008 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2009 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2011 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2001 Sutphen Sp 110 | Equipment |
| 2002 Sutphen Sp 110 | Equipment |
| 2005 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2004 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2006 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2007 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2004 Sutphen Sp 110 | Equipment |
| 2000 Sutphen Sp 110 | Equipment |
| 2008 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2007 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2010 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2006 Sutphen Sph 100 | Equipment |
| 2004 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| 2010 Sutphen Spi 112 | Equipment |
| 2006 Sutphen Sai 110 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 156 |
Year and model alone do not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An extend/retract system failure can let the aerial retract unexpectedly, injuring personnel on or around the vehicle. Keep people clear of the aerial and confirm the inspection or repair status before aerial operations. Repair will be free at any franchised Sutphen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2012 Sutphen Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112, or Sai 110 fire apparatus is included in this recall.
- Call Sutphen customer service at 1-614-889-1005 to confirm whether the ladder bearing inspection and repair has already been completed on your apparatus.
- Reference recall number 13V565 when you call or when speaking with your Sutphen service contact.
- Ask Sutphen about the ladder bearing inspection and repair that addresses extension cable chafing and failure in the aerial extend/retract system.
- Keep the apparatus out of aerial ladder service until Sutphen confirms the inspection and any needed repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
Sutphen says owner notifications, inspections, and needed repairs were completed on May 17, 2013. At the dealer, a Sutphen technician inspects the ladder extension bearings, checks the extension cables that pass over them, and repairs the affected ladder equipment as needed. The recall work is free. If your apparatus still shows this campaign as open, ask the service desk to confirm completion against your VIN.
Timeline
| May 17, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| November 13, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V565?
Recall 13V565 covers 156 2000-2012 Sutphen Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112, and Sai 110 fire apparatus with ladder-extension bearings that can seize. The seized bearings can chafe the extension cables and lead to extend or retract system failure. Sutphen inspected the affected vehicles and repaired them as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2000-2012 Sutphen Sph 100, Sp 110, Spi 112, or Sai 110 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific fire apparatus is included in recall 13V565. If it is, contact Sutphen at 1-614-889-1005 and reference recall 13V565. Sutphen's filing says affected vehicles were inspected and repaired as needed at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Sutphen's remedy states that affected vehicles were inspected and repaired as necessary free of charge. Keep the recall number handy when contacting Sutphen.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V565?
The safety risk is unexpected aerial retraction. If the ladder extend or retract system fails, the aerial can retract without warning and injure personnel on or around the fire apparatus. Confirm the VIN and contact Sutphen before relying on the aerial equipment.
Was recall 13V565 already completed?
Yes. Sutphen's remedy says the recall was completed on May 17, 2013. A used or reassigned fire apparatus still needs a VIN check because ownership records change, and the VIN confirms whether that exact vehicle was part of the recall.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V565000 |
|---|---|
| Sutphen customer service | 1-614-889-1005 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V565 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V565000 |
Source documents
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 →