Recall 17V236 affects 199 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device vehicles for fiberglass upper booms that can fail without warning. Inspection will be free once available.
Altec is recalling 199 2004-2005 Aerial Device vehicles because the fiberglass upper boom can fail without warning. If the boom fails during operation, it increases the risk of serious injury or death, and the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fiberglass upper boom on 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device units is the upper structural arm that supports and positions the raised work platform. It is designed to hold that load while the device is in use, including at the steel to fiberglass interface where the metal structure connects to the insulated boom section.
On affected units, field failures have occurred after repeated significant overload. That overload degrades the fiberglass over months or years, depending on use. As the material weakens, the upper boom can fail at the steel to fiberglass interface even though Altec reported that no manufacturing or design defect had been detected.
There is no warning sign before failure. An operator should not count on a noise, visible change, or handling change before the boom gives way.
Who's affected?
Covers the same body or structural component across the 2004 and 2005 model years.
| 2004 Altec Aerial Device | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2005 Altec Aerial Device | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 199 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device match narrows the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fiberglass upper boom failure during operation puts workers near the aerial device at risk of serious injury or death. This risk is tied to use, so schedule the inspection before putting the aerial device back into service. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 for the current inspection instructions before using the aerial device for lift work.
- Ask Altec how to schedule the free fiberglass upper boom inspection that addresses the boom failure risk.
- Reference recall number 17V236 and Altec recall CSN 654 when you call.
- Keep people clear of the aerial device until Altec confirms the fiberglass upper boom passes inspection.
What happens at the repair
Altec has notified owners, but the final dealer remedy is still listed as under development. Once Altec opens the repair, an Altec technician will inspect the fiberglass upper boom on the affected aerial device or elevator. That inspection is free under the recall. The supplied repair instructions do not name a replacement or adjustment step beyond the upper boom inspection, so ask the service desk what the inspection found before returning the unit to work.
Timeline
| April 7, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 7, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 7, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 7, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 10, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V236?
Recall 17V236 covers 199 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device units with a fiberglass upper boom that can fail without warning. If the boom fails during operation, the filing says it increases the risk of serious injury or death.
What should I do if my 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 17V236. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference CSN 654. Altec's filing says dealers inspect the fiberglass upper boom free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost to the owner. Altec's remedy filing says dealers inspect the fiberglass upper boom free of charge, and recall-related dealer work is handled without parts or labor charges.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is upper-boom failure during operation. Altec's filing says the fiberglass upper boom can fail without warning, and that failure increases the risk of serious injury or death. Do not use the aerial device until Altec or an Altec dealer confirms the inspection and recall guidance for your unit.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure in the recall filing. Altec reported that the fiberglass upper boom can fail without warning, so the VIN check and dealer inspection matter more than waiting for a visible crack, noise, or performance change.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V236000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V236 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V236000 |
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 →