Recall 18V311 covers 135 2014-2017 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails vehicles for loose stake rails. Altec provides the retention kit free of charge.
Altec is recalling 135 2014-2017 Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails because stake rails that are not properly retained can become dislodged. If a rail comes loose while the vehicle is moving, it can raise the risk of injury or a crash; the Altec repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The stake rails on 2014-2017 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails are removable side rails that sit in stake pockets along the edge of the flatbed. Their job is to help keep cargo contained and to stay seated in those pockets while the truck is driven.
On the affected bodies, the pocket design has enough tolerance, or extra room, that the rail is not held firmly in place. With no retention system keeping the rail locked down, road movement lets the rail shift inside the pocket. If that movement becomes large enough, the stake rail can lift out of the pocket and detach from the truck.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear change from the driver seat before a rail comes loose.
Who's affected?
This spans 4 model years, all tied to the same body or structural component.
| 2016 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2015 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails | body or structural component |
| 2014 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails | body or structural component |
| 2017 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 135 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and Altec flatbed body type narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose stake rails can come off while the vehicle is moving, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. If a stake rail is loose or shifts in place, stop using that rail setup and contact Altec for the free retention kit. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails is included in this recall.
- Watch for Altec's owner notice if you have not received one.
- Contact Altec customer service to request the free stake-rail retention kit that secures the rails so they do not dislodge.
- Reference recall number 18V311 and Altec recall CSN 680 when you call.
- Avoid driving with loose or unsecured stake rails until the retention kit is installed.
What happens at the repair
Altec's remedy is to provide a stake rail retention kit, free of charge. The kit is for the flatbed body's stake rails, which were recalled because they were not properly retained and can become dislodged. Once the repair path is open for your vehicle, an Altec technician installs the retention hardware so the rails stay secured to the body. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Altec has a general reimbursement plan on file, so keep documentation for any related out-of-pocket repair and contact Altec customer service about a claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 11, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 21, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 25, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 25, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 27, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V311?
Recall 18V311 covers 135 2014-2017 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails with stake rails that can become dislodged. If the rails come loose while the vehicle is moving, the defect increases the risk of injury or a crash.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific flatbed body is included in recall 18V311. If it is, contact Altec to arrange the stake rail retention kit. Reference CSN 680 and recall 18V311 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Altec will provide stake rail retention kits free of charge for vehicles included in recall 18V311. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy at no cost. Altec customer service is available at 1-877-462-5832.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that a stake rail can come loose while the vehicle is moving. A dislodged rail can create a road hazard, strike another person or vehicle, and increase the risk of injury or a crash.
What if I bought my Altec Flatbed Bodies W/ Rails used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Ownership history does not remove a vehicle from an open safety recall. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific flatbed body is included, then call Altec and reference recall 18V311.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V311000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V311 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V311000 |
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 →