Recall 17V175 covers 335 2015-2016 Altec Aerial Device and Service Body vehicles for an IMS cable short. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 335 2015-2016 Aerial Device and Service Body trucks equipped with certain JEMS 4A or JEMS 4E4 idle mitigation systems because an IMS cable can rub against an electrical component and short circuit. A short circuit increases the risk of fire, and the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The JEMS 4A or JEMS 4E4 Idle Mitigation System on affected 2015-2016 Altec Aerial Device and Service Body trucks lets the vehicle run equipment in ePTO mode without relying on normal engine idling. Inside the JEMS battery enclosure, electrical cables carry power through contactors, which are heavy-duty switches that open and close the high-current circuit.
On these trucks, a cable inside the IMS was routed too close to a contactor bolt. As the system operates, the cable can rub against that bolt until the insulation wears through. Once bare cable touches the electrical component, it can short circuit, stop the unit from working, and create enough heat for a thermal event. Altec's fix uses a longer cable and a different route to remove the rub point.
The warning sign is loss of ePTO function. Owners can see the system stop responding or no longer working in ePTO mode before the cable fault is found.
Who's affected?
Aerial Device and Service Body configurations share the same wiring component across the 2015-2016 model years.
| 2016 Altec Aerial Device | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2015 Altec Aerial Device | wiring |
| 2016 Altec Service Body | wiring |
| 2015 Altec Service Body | wiring |
| Units affected | 335 |
| 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 short circuit in the IMS contactor cable increases the risk of fire. If the ePTO system stops responding or stops working in ePTO mode, shut the equipment down and arrange service before using that mode again. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Altec Aerial Device or Service Body is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-205-991-7733 to confirm the current repair path before scheduling dealer work.
- Schedule the free IMS contactor-cable replacement and rerouting with an Altec dealer; this fixes the cable routing that can short against an electrical component.
- Bring the Altec owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 17V175 and Altec recall CSN 646 when you call.
- Park away from structures and avoid using the idle mitigation system until Altec confirms the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Altec's final remedy is to replace and reroute the contactor cable inside the Idle Mitigation System so it no longer rubs against the electrical component. Once the dealer repair is available, an Altec technician performs that cable work free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Altec has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair. Keep repair orders and payment records, and contact Altec customer service for the reimbursement process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 14, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 10, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V175?
Recall 17V175 covers 335 2015-2016 Altec Aerial Device and Service Body units equipped with JEMS 4A or JEMS 4E4 Idle Mitigation Systems. An improperly installed IMS contactor cable can rub against an electrical component, short circuit, and increase the risk of fire.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Altec Aerial Device or Service Body is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 17V175. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service at 1-205-991-7733 and ask for CSN 646. The dealer will replace and reroute the IMS contactor cable for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Altec's remedy says dealers will replace and reroute the contactor cable within the IMS free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V175?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical short circuit. In the affected Altec units, the IMS contactor cable can rub against an electrical component and short circuit. If your VIN is included, arrange the free cable replacement and rerouting with an Altec dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V175000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-205-991-7733 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V175 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V175000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →