Recall 17V463 affects 109 2016-2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles for a hydraulic manifold defect. Repair is free at any franchised Smeal dealer.
Smeal is recalling 109 2016-2017 Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles because the hydraulic manifold that controls the aerial device can be improperly seated and let hydraulic fluid leak. A leak can cause inadvertent movement of the aerial device and raise the risk of injury; Smeal dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic manifold on 2016-2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus is part of the hydraulic system that controls the aerial device. It routes pressurized hydraulic fluid to the equipment that raises, lowers, and positions the aerial assembly. For that system to hold pressure, the manifold has to sit fully against its mating surface.
On affected apparatus, the manifold was not fully seated because of a variation in the manufacturing process. That poor fit lets hydraulic fluid escape from the control system. A leak can reduce hydraulic pressure and allow unintended aerial movement, which matters when crews are operating around the apparatus.
The warning sign is not a dashboard light or a noise before the problem starts. An unexpected loss of hydraulic fluid can happen without warning. If fluid appears around the aerial hydraulic components, treat it as a sign that the system needs service before the aerial device is used.
Who's affected?
The 2016 and 2017 model years share the same equipment component in this recall.
| 2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2016 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus | Equipment |
| Units affected | 109 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A hydraulic fluid leak can allow the aerial device to move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the fluid loss, so keep personnel clear of the aerial device if the system acts abnormally or fluid is visible. Repair is free at any franchised Smeal dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Smeal dealer to schedule the free hydraulic-manifold inspection and correction that addresses the fluid leak and unintended aerial-device movement risk.
- Bring the recall notice to the dealer, and reference recall number 17V463 when you call.
- Avoid operating the aerial device until the hydraulic manifold has been inspected and corrected.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Smeal technician inspects the mating surface of the hydraulic manifold that controls the aerial device, then corrects the seating problem as needed. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor tied to the inspection and correction. Smeal has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a recall-related repair before the notice. Keep the repair invoice and proof of payment, then ask Smeal customer service how to submit the documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 20, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 21, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| July 21, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 31, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 10, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V463?
Recall 17V463 covers 109 2016-2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles with a hydraulic manifold for the aerial device that was not fully seated. A fluid leak can cause inadvertent aerial-device movement and increase injury risk. Smeal dealers inspect and correct the manifold surface for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 17V463. If it is, contact a Smeal dealer or Smeal customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to schedule the hydraulic manifold inspection. Reference Smeal recall number 17019 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Smeal says dealers will inspect the hydraulic manifold mating surface and correct the problem as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is inadvertent movement of the aerial device. Smeal reported that a hydraulic fluid leak from the manifold can allow the aerial device to move without command, increasing the risk of injury during emergency-vehicle operation or service.
When did Smeal notify owners about recall 17V463?
Smeal began the recall on August 10, 2017. If your department or fleet bought the apparatus used or never received the notice, check your VIN and reference recall 17V463 or Smeal recall number 17019 with the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V463000 |
|---|---|
| Smeal customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V463 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V463000 |
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 →