Recall 18V138 affects 59 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device vehicles for fiberglass upper boom degradation. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 59 2004-2005 Aerial Device vehicles because the fiberglass upper boom can degrade over time and fail. A failed boom can raise the risk of injury or death, and Altec dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The fiberglass upper boom on 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device vehicles is the raised structural section that supports the platform while the device is in the air. Fiberglass provides strength and electrical insulation, and the boom depends on that material staying sound where it joins the steel structure.
On affected units, the fiberglass upper boom can degrade after repeated significant overload. Altec reported failures on AM650 and AM855 units at the steel-to-fiberglass interface, then expanded the notice after finding a high number of units with fiberglass degradation. The company did not identify a manufacturing or design defect, but said overload over months or years of use can weaken the fiberglass until the boom fails.
The warning sign is found through inspection, not a dashboard alert or driving symptom. Operators are told to inspect the upper boom during preoperational checks and periodic maintenance inspections, and to treat visible fiberglass degradation as a service issue.
Who's affected?
Limited to two model years with the same mechanical equipment component.
| 2005 Altec Aerial Device | Mechanical |
|---|---|
| 2004 Altec Aerial Device | Mechanical |
| Units affected | 59 |
| 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 your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fiberglass upper boom failure can increase the risk of injury or death. During preoperational and periodic maintenance inspections, check the upper boom for degradation before the aerial device is used. If damage is found, keep the unit out of service and contact the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service or a franchised Altec dealer to schedule the free fiberglass upper-boom inspection.
- Schedule the boom replacement or chassis-and-unit buyback if Altec finds boom degradation during inspection.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V138 when you call.
- Keep the unit out of service until Altec inspects the fiberglass upper boom and completes the repair or buyback path.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Altec technician inspects the fiberglass upper boom for degradation. If the boom shows degradation, the dealer replaces the boom, or Altec buys back the chassis and unit. The inspection, replacement, or buyback process is free under campaign 18V138. Altec lists a general reimbursement plan for this recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a boom related repair, ask Altec customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 27, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 30, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V138?
Recall 18V138 covers 59 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device units with fiberglass upper booms that degrade over time and fail. Altec dealers will inspect the boom, replace it if needed for free, or buy back the chassis and unit.
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 18V138. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to arrange the boom inspection. Reference Altec recall number CSN 676 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Altec dealers will inspect the fiberglass upper boom and replace it if needed free of charge, or Altec will buy back the chassis and unit.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is upper boom failure. If the fiberglass upper boom fails during use, people near or on the equipment face an increased risk of injury or death. Keep the unit out of service until an Altec dealer completes the inspection and any required repair.
When did Altec start this recall?
Altec began this recall on April 30, 2018. If you own a 2004-2005 Altec Aerial Device and never received a notice, check your VIN and call Altec customer service with recall number CSN 676.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V138000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V138 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V138000 |
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 →