Recall 19V337 affects 12 2017-2019 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles with missing base-rail welds. Repair is free at any franchised Smeal dealer.
Smeal is recalling 12 2017-2019 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles under recall 19V337 because tube steel in the aerial device base rail is missing joint welds. A weak base rail can make the aerial device unsteady and lead to collapse, increasing injury risk, and Smeal dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
On 2017-2019 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles, the aerial device relies on tube steel in its base rail to support the ladder or platform as it extends. The base rail is part of the lower structure that keeps the aerial assembly aligned and steady under load.
On these apparatuses, some tube steel used in the base rail is missing joint welds. A joint weld ties pieces of steel together so they act as one structure. Without those welds, the base section and mid lower sections lose strength at the joint, and the aerial device can become unsteady or collapse.
Smeal traced the steel to coil number 5625, received in October 2018 and used in aerial base rail sections starting in December 2018. There is no warning sign before failure. The aerial device can become unstable without warning.
Who's affected?
Covers one apparatus line across the 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years, all tied to the same equipment component.
| 2018 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2017 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus | Equipment |
| 2019 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus | Equipment |
| Units affected | 12 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unstable aerial device can collapse and increase the risk of injury. There is no reliable warning before the aerial device becomes unstable, so keep people clear if it shifts, binds, or shows unexpected movement. Stop using the aerial device and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Smeal dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Smeal dealer to schedule the free aerial-device inspection.
- Schedule replacement of any aerial-device section with missing base-rail welds, the repair that addresses instability and collapse risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Smeal has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V337 when you call.
- Keep the aerial device out of service until the inspection is complete and any required section replacement is finished.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Smeal technician inspects the aerial device, focusing on the tube steel in the base rail and any sections where joint welds are missing. Any section with missing welds is replaced under the recall. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free. Smeal has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall work was completed. Bring dated repair invoices and payment records to the service desk so the claim can be reviewed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 30, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 2, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| May 2, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 2, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 13, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V337?
Recall 19V337 covers 12 2017-2019 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles with missing joint welds in the aerial device base rail. The official risk is aerial-device collapse, increasing injury risk. Smeal dealers will inspect the aerial device and replace affected sections for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific apparatus is included in recall 19V337. If it is, contact a Smeal dealer or Smeal customer service to schedule the aerial-device inspection. Reference recall number 19V337 or Smeal recall number 1911 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Smeal's remedy says dealers will inspect the aerial device and replace sections with missing welds free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is collapse of the aerial device. Missing joint welds in the base rail can make the aerial device unsteady during use, increasing the risk of injury. Have the apparatus inspected before relying on the aerial device for service operations.
When did the Smeal recall repair start?
Smeal began the recall repair on May 13, 2019. Owners were notified, and the dealer remedy is available. The inspection and any needed replacement of sections with missing welds are covered under the recall.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V337000 |
|---|---|
| Smeal customer service | 1-800-867-6478 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V337 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V337000 |
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 →