Recall 15V096 affects 3,889 2011-2014 Altec Aerial Device units for cracked cylinder lug castings. Inspection and repair are free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 3,889 2011-2014 Aerial Device units under recall 15V096 because Texas Hydraulics upper boom drive cylinder base-end lug castings can crack. A cracked lug casting can fail and cause unintended boom movement, which increases the risk of personal injury or death; Altec dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The upper boom drive cylinder on 2011-2014 Altec Aerial Device equipment is part of the hydraulic system that moves and holds the upper boom. Hydraulic pressure pushes the cylinder in and out, and the base end lug is the cast mounting ear that anchors that force to the boom structure. That lug has to stay solid while the boom is raised, lowered, and held in position.
On affected units built with Texas Hydraulics upper boom drive cylinders, the base end lug casting was weakened during manufacturing. The casting supplier used an over aggressive quench, a cooling step after casting, that left surface cracks in the metal. Those cracks can grow under normal hydraulic load until the lug casting breaks, which can cause the upper boom drive cylinder to lose its anchored connection.
There is no warning sign before failure. Operators should not expect a dashboard light, noise, or visible symptom to appear before the casting fails.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2011-2014 model years, with the same equipment component listed for each year.
| 2013 Altec Aerial Device | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2011 Altec Aerial Device | Equipment |
| 2014 Altec Aerial Device | Equipment |
| 2012 Altec Aerial Device | Equipment |
| Units affected | 3,889 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Cracked cylinder lug castings can fail and let the boom move unexpectedly. That increases the risk of injury or death to the aerial device user or people nearby. If inspection finds cracks, remove the unit from service immediately and arrange the free cylinder replacement. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2014 Altec Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Altec dealer to schedule the free upper-boom drive-cylinder inspection; Altec checks the cylinder base-end lugs for cracks that can let the boom move unexpectedly.
- Bring the recall notice if Altec has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V096 when you call.
- Remove the unit from service immediately if cracks are found; Altec will replace the cylinder free of charge.
- Schedule the magnetic particle inspection within 60 days if no visible cracks are found.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Altec technician inspects the upper boom drive cylinders for the suspect casting lots. If neither cylinder is from those lots, no further repair is needed. If a suspect cylinder is found, the technician checks it for visible cracks. A cracked cylinder means the unit is removed from service immediately and the cylinder is replaced. If no cracks are found, Altec schedules a magnetic particle inspection of the cylinder lug within 60 days. All inspection and replacement work is free. Altec's general reimbursement plan covers documented prior paid repairs tied to this recall, so bring repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 19, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 30, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 30, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V096?
Recall 15V096 covers 3,889 2011-2014 Altec Aerial Devices with Texas Hydraulics upper boom drive cylinders. The cylinder base end lug casting can crack and fail, causing unintended boom movement and increasing the risk of injury or death to the operator or people nearby.
What should I do if my 2011-2014 Altec Aerial Device is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 15V096. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service at 1-800-860-0183 and reference CSN 611. The dealer inspection and any required cylinder replacement are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall remedy at no cost. Altec states that the cylinder lot inspection, visible crack inspection, magnetic particle inspection, and any required cylinder replacement are all performed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V096?
The safety risk is unintended boom movement. If a cylinder lug casting cracks and fails, the boom can move without the operator intending it, increasing the risk of personal injury or death to the aerial device user or people nearby.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Visible cracks in the cylinder lug are the warning sign named in the remedy. Altec dealers inspect the cylinders for suspect casting lots first. If a suspect cylinder has visible cracks, the unit should be removed from service immediately and the cylinder replaced.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V096000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-800-860-0183 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V096 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V096000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →