Recall 16V887 affects 216 1997-2016 Smeal Aerial emergency vehicles for a movable guardrail that bends or breaks. Repair is free at Smeal dealers.
Smeal is recalling 216 1997-2016 Aerial and Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles because the movable ladder access guardrail can bend or break under heavy loads. A failed guardrail increases the risk of injury, and Smeal dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On 1997-2016 Smeal Aerial and Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles, the movable ladder access guardrail is the barrier at the ladder access opening on a rear mount aerial platform. It is meant to give firefighters a supported edge while they move on or near the platform, then move out of the way when access is needed.
On affected rear mount platform apparatus, the guardrail is anchored to the platform at the hinge side only. When a load over 300 lbs is placed on the guardrail, force concentrates where that hinge attaches to the platform structure. That attachment point can deflect, and the guardrail can bend or break instead of holding its shape. The repaired design adds support on both sides of the guardrail.
Before it fails, the warning sign is visible movement in the guardrail under high load. If the guardrail starts to bow, shift, or deflect, treat it as part of this recall condition and keep weight off that guardrail until the repair is complete.
Who's affected?
Spans model years 1997 through 2016, with Aerial Fire Apparatus listed separately for 2016.
| 2006 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2010 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2012 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2016 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus | Equipment |
| 1997 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 1998 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2001 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2004 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2013 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2005 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2014 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2011 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2015 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2008 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2009 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2007 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2000 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2002 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 1999 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| 2003 Smeal Aerial | Equipment |
| Units affected | 216 |
| 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?
A guardrail that bends or breaks under load leaves less protection at the edge of the apparatus and increases the risk of injury. If the guardrail starts to deflect under heavy loading, stop using that position and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Smeal dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1997-2016 Smeal Aerial or Aerial Fire Apparatus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Smeal dealer to schedule the free repair that adds support to the movable ladder access guardrail.
- Bring the recall notice if Smeal mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V887 when you call.
- Avoid heavy loads on the movable ladder access guardrail until the support is added.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Smeal technician adds a support to the opposite side of the movable ladder access guardrail. That added support helps keep the guardrail from bending or breaking under heavy loads. The repair is free under recall 16V887, with parts and labor covered. The recall began on January 11, 2017, so an included apparatus goes through Smeal dealer service for this guardrail support repair.
Timeline
| December 9, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 11, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 16, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| January 20, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 23, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V887?
Recall 16V887 covers 216 1997-2016 Smeal Aerial and Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles with a movable ladder access guardrail that can bend or break under heavy loads. Smeal dealers will add support to the opposite side of the guardrail for free.
What should I do if my 1997-2016 Smeal Aerial or Aerial Fire Apparatus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 16V887. If it is, contact a Smeal dealer or Smeal customer service at 1-877-415-8628 to arrange the guardrail support repair. Reference recall 16V887 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Smeal's remedy says dealers will add the guardrail support free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from a guardrail that bends or breaks under load. The affected part is the movable ladder access guardrail, so crews should confirm the VIN and arrange the free support installation before relying on the guardrail during service use.
When did Smeal start this recall?
Smeal began this recall on January 11, 2017. The remedy is available, so included vehicles can be scheduled for the dealer repair now. The repair adds support to the opposite side of the movable ladder access guardrail.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V887000 |
|---|---|
| Smeal customer service | 1-877-415-8628 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V887 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V887000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 →