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Campaign 18V791 Posted November 9, 2018 331 units

2008-2018 Altec Crane/Digger Derrick Recall 18V791: 12V Wire

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 18V791 affects 331 2008-2018 Altec Crane and Digger Derrick vehicles for undersized PDM wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.

Altec is recalling 331 2008-2018 Crane and Digger Derrick vehicles because the 12V wiring from the chassis battery to the power distribution module is too small for the circuit. The wire can overheat and increase fire risk, and the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The 12V battery circuit on 2008-2018 Altec Crane and Digger Derrick vehicles feeds power from the chassis battery to the Power Distribution Module, or PDM. The PDM is the electrical hub that sends battery power to the equipment circuits that need it. That feed depends on wiring and circuit protection sized for the load.

On affected units, the wire gauge in that battery-to-PDM circuit was too small for the electrical load Altec identified in its schematics. The circuit breaker also did not give enough protection for the application. When the circuit draws more current than the undersized wiring can safely carry, the wiring and PDM area can overheat, and the PDM can fail.

The warning signs listed for this recall are PDM failure or excessive heat. If an operator sees heat near the PDM, smells hot electrical material, or loses PDM-powered functions, treat that as a recall warning sign and stop using the affected equipment until Altec service guidance is followed.

Who's affected?

The scope covers both Crane and Digger Derrick vehicles across the 2008-2018 model years, with wiring and battery cable components listed for each model year.

2018 Altec Crane wiring
2018 Altec Crane battery
2017 Altec Crane wiring
2017 Altec Crane battery
2016 Altec Crane wiring
Units affected331
Field incidentsNHTSA 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?

An undersized wire can overheat and raise the risk of fire. If the PDM module fails or you notice unusual heat near the module, stop using the equipment and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2018 Altec Crane or Digger Derrick is included in this recall.
  2. Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to confirm repair timing for your unit.
  3. Ask Altec how to schedule the free PDM wiring and circuit-breaker repair that fixes the undersized 12V wire that can overheat.
  4. Bring the recall notice if Altec mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V791 when you call.
  5. Avoid operating the equipment until Altec confirms the repair path for your VIN.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, an Altec technician replaces the wiring to the Power Distribution Module with a larger gauge wire and, if needed, replaces the circuit breaker with a lower rated version. The recall remedy lists this work as free of charge. The filing does not show the repair as available in the status field, so confirm parts and scheduling with Altec before taking the truck in. Once the repair is open for your unit, parts and labor are covered under the recall.

Timeline

November 9, 2018 NHTSA published the recall
January 7, 2019 Dealer notification began
January 7, 2019 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
January 9, 2019 Owner notification mailed
November 8, 2019 Dealer notification ended

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V791?

Recall 18V791 covers 331 2008-2018 Altec Crane and Digger Derrick vehicles with wiring from the chassis battery to the Power Distribution Module that is too small for the 12V circuit. The wire can overheat and increase fire risk. Altec dealers replace the wiring or circuit breaker for free.

What should I do if my 2008-2018 Altec Crane or Digger Derrick is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V791. If it is, contact a franchised Altec dealer to schedule the PDM wiring and circuit breaker repair. Reference recall number 18V791 and Altec recall number CSN 703 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Altec will replace the PDM wiring with a larger wire, replace the circuit breaker, or complete both repairs free of charge at an Altec dealer.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is fire. The undersized wire on the 12V circuit can overheat between the chassis battery and the Power Distribution Module. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Altec repair so the wiring and circuit protection match the recall remedy.

What if I bought my Altec Crane or Digger Derrick used?

The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Altec vehicle is included, then call an Altec dealer and reference recall 18V791 or CSN 703.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V791000
Altec customer service1-877-462-5832
NHTSA recall #18V791
NHTSA recall # (full)18V791000

Source documents

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 →