Recall 20V301 affects 396 2014-2020 Altec Aerial Device vehicles for mislabeled tow hitches that can fail. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 396 2014-2020 Aerial Device and body-only units equipped with Class 3 towing hitches because the hitch load rating markings are incorrect and the hitch can be damaged by unintentional overloading. An overloaded hitch can fail and raise the risk of a crash; Altec will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Class 3 towing hitch on a 2014-2020 Altec Aerial Device is the steel towing connection at the rear of the unit. Its receiver tube accepts the trailer drawbar or drop hitch, and the bumper labels are supposed to tell the operator the safe load limits before a trailer is attached.
On affected units, the load rating markings on the hitch were incorrect, and the bumper did not give the needed loading limits for the receiver tube or a drop hitch. That leaves the operator without the right capacity information. If the trailer load exceeds what the receiver tube is built to handle, the hitch can be overloaded and damaged. Altec traced the issue after a tow receiver tube failed while pulling a trailer.
Before failure, the operator can see visible damage around the receiver tube welds. Look for cracking or other obvious weld defects near the hitch before towing.
Who's affected?
Spans 7 model years (2014-2020), with vehicle label and trailer hitch components listed for each year.
| 2014 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2014 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2016 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2016 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2020 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2020 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2019 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2019 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2015 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2015 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2017 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2017 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| 2018 Altec Aerial Device | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2018 Altec Aerial Device | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 396 |
| 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 your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An overloaded tow hitch can fail and increase the risk of a crash. Before failure, the unit operator can see cracking at the receiver tube welds or other visible damage, so stop towing and arrange inspection before using the hitch again. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2020 Altec Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Contact an authorized Altec service location to schedule the free hitch inspection and repair.
- Ask Altec to inspect the bumper and receiver tube for overload damage and install the correct hitch load-rating placards.
- Bring the recall notice if Altec sent one. If not, reference recall number 20V301 when you call.
- Avoid towing with the affected hitch until Altec confirms the rating placards are correct and the bumper and receiver tube are repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Altec technician inspects the bumper and receiver tube for damage, makes needed repairs, and installs the proper hitch load rating placards on the unit. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The recall began July 24, 2020, so owners can contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and ask for recall CSN 761. Altec has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a related bumper, receiver tube, or hitch placard repair before the recall notice, ask Altec what documentation it needs for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 26, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 21, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 21, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 22, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 24, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V301?
Recall 20V301 covers 396 2014-2020 Altec Aerial Device and body only units equipped with Class 3 towing hitches. The hitch load rating label can be incorrect, and an overloaded hitch can fail, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2014-2020 Altec Aerial Device is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 20V301. If it is, contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference CSN 761. Altec will provide inspection instructions and arrange the required label and repair work.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V301, Altec provides instructions for inspecting the bumper and receiver tube, repairing damage as needed, and installing the correct hitch load rating placards.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is hitch failure during towing. If the hitch has the wrong load rating markings, the unit can be overloaded without the operator realizing it. An overloaded hitch can fail and increase the risk of a crash.
When did Altec start this recall?
Altec began recall 20V301 on July 24, 2020. Owners of included units should use the VIN check first, then contact Altec customer service with CSN 761 so the inspection, placard installation, and any needed repair work are handled through the recall process.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V301000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V301 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V301000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →