Terex is recalling 101 2015-2018 General 80, C4000, C6000, and C5000 digger derricks for undersized auger welds. Repair is free at any franchised Terex dealer.
Terex is recalling 101 2015-2018 General 80, C4000, C5000, and C6000 digger derricks because undersized welds between the coupler and hex shaft can fail and let the auger fall unexpectedly. A falling auger raises the risk of injury to the user or bystanders, and Terex dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Kelly bar on 2015-2018 Terex General 80, C4000, C6000, and C5000 digger derricks is the steel link between the auger drive and the auger. One end uses a coupler to connect to the digger drive, and the other end is the bar the auger pins to. Its job is to carry the torque from the drive so the auger turns while staying attached.
On affected units, the weld between the coupler and the hex shaft was made too small. That weld has to hold the rotating load from the auger drive, especially on longer gearbox cases with higher torque. When the weld is undersized, cracks can spread around the weld face until the coupler separates from the bar. If that happens, the auger can fall unexpectedly.
Owners or crews can see cracking around the face of the weld before complete failure. A visibly different weld size, weld shape, casting marking, or casting profile is a reason to have the Kelly bar inspected before use.
Who's affected?
Scope spans General 80, C4000, C5000, and C6000 model lines across the 2015-2018 model years, all tied to the equipment component.
| 2017 Terex General 80 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2018 Terex General 80 | Equipment |
| 2017 Terex C4000 | Equipment |
| 2015 Terex General 80 | Equipment |
| 2016 Terex General 80 | Equipment |
| 2015 Terex C6000 | Equipment |
| 2016 Terex C6000 | Equipment |
| 2015 Terex C5000 | Equipment |
| 2017 Terex C5000 | Equipment |
| 2018 Terex C4000 | Equipment |
| 2018 Terex C5000 | Equipment |
| 2016 Terex C5000 | Equipment |
| 2017 Terex C6000 | Equipment |
| 2018 Terex C6000 | Equipment |
| 2015 Terex C4000 | Equipment |
| 2016 Terex C4000 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 101 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 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 falling auger increases the risk of injury to the operator or bystanders. Cracks around the face of the weld are the warning sign before complete failure, so stop using the equipment if cracks appear and schedule the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Terex dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Terex General 80, C4000, C6000, or C5000 is included in this recall.
- Contact a Terex dealer to schedule the free coupler-to-hex-shaft weld repair or affected component replacement that keeps the auger from falling unexpectedly.
- Bring the recall notice if Terex mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V520 when you call.
- Call Terex customer service at 1-605-882-4000 with repair questions.
- Keep users and bystanders clear of the auger area until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Terex technician inspects the weld between the coupler and hex shaft. If the weld is undersized or damaged, the dealer repairs the weld or replaces the affected component. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Terex has a general reimbursement plan on file for qualifying out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice. Bring related repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Terex customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 7, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 21, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 3, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 5, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 5, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V520?
Recall 18V520 covers 101 2015-2018 Terex General 80, C4000, C6000, and C5000 digger derricks. The welds between the coupler and hex shaft are undersized, which can let the auger fall unexpectedly. Terex dealers will repair the weld or replace the component for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Terex General 80, C4000, C6000, or C5000 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 18V520. If it is, contact a Terex dealer or Terex customer service at 1-605-882-4000 to arrange the weld repair or component replacement. Reference recall 18V520 and Terex recall number SN665 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Terex will repair the weld or replace the affected component free of charge through its dealer network.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected auger fall. If the weld between the coupler and hex shaft fails, the auger can drop and increase the risk of injury to the operator or bystanders. The repair path is to have Terex repair the weld or replace the component for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V520000 |
|---|---|
| Terex customer service | 1-605-882-4000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V520 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V520000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- 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 →