Recall 16V536 affects 252 2015-2016 Altec Digger Derrick and Aerial Device vehicles for hydraulic motor shaft failure. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 252 2015-2016 Digger Derrick and Aerial Device vehicles equipped with front bumper winches or capstans because a hydraulic motor shaft can fail and let the winch or capstan move unexpectedly. Unexpected movement can increase injury risk, and Altec's dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic motor is the power unit for the front bumper winch or capstan on 2015-2016 Altec Digger Derrick and Aerial Device vehicles. The winch pulls cable under load, while the capstan is a rotating drum used to pull or control line. Both depend on the motor shaft to transfer hydraulic force into steady, controlled rotation.
On recalled units, the motor shaft can fail inside the winch or capstan drive. If the shaft fails while the equipment is being used, the winch or capstan can move unexpectedly instead of holding or moving the load as commanded. That is why the recalled motors were flagged for replacement in hoisting and recovery applications.
There is no warning sign before failure. An operator should not count on noise, vibration, or a visible change in the winch or capstan to show that the motor shaft is about to fail.
Who's affected?
Covers both Digger Derrick and Aerial Device units across the 2015 and 2016 model years, with the winch listed as the shared component.
| 2016 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
|---|---|
| 2015 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2015 Altec Aerial Device | Winch |
| 2016 Altec Aerial Device | Winch |
| Units affected | 252 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected winch movement creates an injury risk for anyone working near the winch or load. Keep people clear of the equipment, stop using the winch if it moves without command, and arrange service before further winch work. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Altec Digger Derrick or Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Review Altec's owner notice before scheduling the free hydraulic-motor replacement that addresses unexpected winch or capstan movement.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-205-991-7733 for repair instructions.
- Reference recall number 16V536 and Altec recall CSN 635 when you call.
- Keep people clear of the winch or capstan area until the hydraulic motor is replaced.
What happens at the repair
Altec's stated dealer remedy is to replace the hydraulic motor that operates the front bumper winch or capstan. Because the remedy status is not listed as available in this record, the dealer repair will be free once available. An Altec technician replaces the motor rather than repairing the failed shaft. Altec has a general reimbursement plan on file, so owners who already paid for this hydraulic motor repair should ask Altec customer service how to submit repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 14, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 17, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 26, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V536?
Recall 16V536 covers 252 2015-2016 Altec Digger Derrick and Aerial Device vehicles equipped with front bumper winches or capstans. The hydraulic motor shaft can fail and cause unexpected winch or capstan movement, creating an injury risk. Altec dealers will replace the hydraulic motor for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Altec Digger Derrick or Aerial Device is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V536. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service at 1-205-991-7733 to arrange the hydraulic motor replacement. Reference recall number 16V536 or Altec CSN 635 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Altec's remedy says dealers will replace the hydraulic motor free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is unexpected movement of the front bumper winch or capstan. If the hydraulic motor shaft fails, the winch or capstan can move without warning and increase the risk of injury to anyone working near the equipment.
When did Altec start this recall repair?
Altec began the recall repair on August 26, 2016. Since that date is in the past, included owners can contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service to arrange the free hydraulic motor replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V536000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-205-991-7733 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V536 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V536000 |
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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →