Recall 21V012 affects 213 2016-2020 Altec Aerial Device units missing combined-use capacity information on radio remotes. Altec will attach the needed placard at no charge.
Altec is recalling 213 2016-2020 Aerial Device units under recall 21V012 because certain DH-B Series, DH-E Series, and D3000-E digger derricks with radio remote upper controls have the derrick capacity chart, not the combined-use capacity chart. Without that rated-capacity information, operators face a higher injury risk during combined use; the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On 2016-2020 Altec Aerial Device units set up for combined use, the capacity placard is the operator's load chart. It tells the operator how much the derrick can safely handle when the equipment is used in that combined setup, including units with radio remote upper controls. The chart needs to match the way the unit is being used.
On these units, Altec installed only the derrick use capacity chart. The combined use capacity chart was left off during production, so the operator does not have the correct load information at the point where that setup is used. Without the right placard, an operator can rely on the wrong capacity limits before a lift.
This problem is visible before operation. A daily preoperational inspection should show that the combined use capacity placard is missing, and the same issue should appear when the operator looks for the required combined use chart before a lift.
Who's affected?
Covers five model years of the Aerial Device, all tied to the same boom/crane/ladder component.
| 2016 Altec Aerial Device | Boom/crane/ladder |
|---|---|
| 2017 Altec Aerial Device | Boom/crane/ladder |
| 2020 Altec Aerial Device | Boom/crane/ladder |
| 2018 Altec Aerial Device | Boom/crane/ladder |
| 2019 Altec Aerial Device | Boom/crane/ladder |
| Units affected | 213 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
Without the capacity placard, the operator lacks rated capacity information during combined use, which increases injury risk. The daily preoperational inspection is the check that catches a missing placard before a lift. If the placard is missing, keep the equipment out of that lift until the capacity information is available. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2020 Altec Aerial Device is included in this recall.
- Watch for Altec's owner notice if you have not received it, then contact Altec customer service for instructions on the free placard lanyard step.
- Reference recall number 21V012 and Altec recall CSN 792 when you call.
- Have the radio remote checked for the missing combined-use capacity placard so the operator has rated capacity information at the controls.
- Avoid combined-use operation until the correct capacity placard is attached to the radio remote.
What happens at the repair
Altec has said it will notify owners and require a capacity placard to be attached to the radio remote with a lanyard if the placard is missing. The dealer repair will be free once available for your unit. An Altec technician or service contact checks the radio remote upper controls, confirms whether the combined use capacity chart is present, and attaches the missing placard so the operator has the correct capacity information at the control.
Timeline
| January 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 10, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 16, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V012?
Recall 21V012 covers 213 2016-2020 Altec Aerial Device units set up for combined use with radio remote upper controls. The units have the derrick use capacity chart, but not the combined use capacity chart. Altec will attach the missing capacity placard for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2020 Altec Aerial Device is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 21V012. If it is, contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference CSN 792. Altec will attach the required capacity placard to the radio remote with a lanyard if it is missing.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost. Altec's remedy is to attach the missing combined use capacity placard to the radio remote with a lanyard, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is missing rated capacity information during combined use. Without the combined use capacity chart on the radio remote, the operator lacks the capacity information needed while operating the equipment, increasing the risk of injury.
When did the Altec recall repair begin?
Altec began the recall repair on March 16, 2021. Owners with an included 2016-2020 Altec Aerial Device can contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference CSN 792 for the placard remedy.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V012000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V012 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V012000 |
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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →