Recall 20V168 covers 6 2009-2016 Terex Sml and Tcx aerial devices for lift-cylinder rod-eye defects. Free repair at any franchised Terex dealer once available.
Terex is recalling 6 2009-2016 Sml and Tcx aerial devices under recall 20V168 because rod eyes on the 25ft lift cylinders can fail early. If a rod eye fails, the lift boom will drift down and injury risk increases; the Terex dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 25 ft lift cylinders on 2009-2016 Terex Sml and Tcx aerial devices raise and support the lift boom. At the end of each cylinder rod is a rod eye, the looped connector that pins the cylinder to the boom structure. That connector has to hold the cylinder load while the boom moves and while it is parked.
On affected machines, shims used to match the length of the paired cylinders do not fully support the rod eye. The shim can lose clamp force around the threaded shank, which is the threaded stem of the connector. Terex also found the rod eye material does not have enough fatigue life for the load, so repeated use can crack the rod eye until it fails.
What you notice is found during inspection, not from an operating warning. A loose shim at the rod eye shows loss of preload and means the connector is no longer being held as designed.
Who's affected?
Spans Sml and Tcx vehicles across the 2009-2016 model years, with the same equipment component tied to each included scope.
| 2009 Terex Sml | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2011 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| 2013 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| 2013 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2012 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2010 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2009 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2015 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| 2016 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| 2014 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2011 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2014 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| 2016 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2015 Terex Tcx | Equipment |
| 2012 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| 2010 Terex Sml | Equipment |
| Units affected | 6 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A failed rod eye lets the lift boom drift down. The remaining cylinder can fail to fully support the boom and slowly leak down, increasing the risk of injury. Loose shims found during inspection signal loss of preload. Repair will be free at any franchised Terex dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2016 Terex Sml or Tcx aerial device is included in this recall.
- Watch for Terex's owner notice or repair instructions before scheduling work if your VIN is included.
- Call Terex customer service at 1-605-882-4000 and reference recall number 20V168 when you ask about the free repair path.
- Ask about the rod-eye and shim replacement that fixes lift-cylinder rod eyes that fail and let the boom drift down.
- Keep the boom unloaded and out of service until Terex confirms the repair path for your aerial device.
What happens at the repair
Terex says dealers will replace the rod eyes and shims on the affected aerial devices. Because the current remedy status is still being developed, confirm with Terex or the dealer that the repair is open before scheduling. Once available, the dealer repair is free and covers parts and labor. If you already paid for the same rod eye or shim repair before the recall notice, ask Terex customer service how its general reimbursement plan handles documented costs.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 20, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 27, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| March 27, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 9, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 15, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 15, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V168?
Recall 20V168 covers 6 2009-2016 Terex Sml and Tcx aerial devices with rod eyes on the 25ft lift cylinders that can fail early. If a rod eye fails, the lift boom can drift down and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2009-2016 Terex Sml or Tcx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific aerial device is included in recall 20V168. If it is, contact a franchised Terex dealer or Terex customer service at 1-605-882-4000 and reference recall 20V168 or Terex recall number SN684.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Terex's remedy says dealers will replace the rod eyes and shims free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is boom drift after a rod eye failure. Terex says the lift boom will drift down, and the remaining cylinder will slowly leak down if it cannot fully support the boom. That increases the risk of injury.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V168000 |
|---|---|
| Terex customer service | 1-605-882-4000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V168 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V168000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →