Recall 21V810 affects 1 2021 Smeal Pumper fire truck for improperly crimped generator lifting cables. Cummins inspection and repair are free.
Smeal is recalling 1 2021 Pumper fire truck equipped with a Cummins generator set because the lifting cables can be improperly crimped. An improperly crimped cable can come loose during lifting, let the generator set fall, and increase the risk of injury; Smeal will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The lifting cable on the 2021 Smeal Pumper is a braided steel cable connected to the Cummins generator set. Its normal job is to give service crews a secure lifting point when the generator set has to be raised or moved. The cable depends on a ferrule, a metal sleeve crimped around the cable end, to keep the loop locked under load.
On the affected fire truck, that ferrule was not crimped correctly. A bad crimp means the cable end is not held with the strength the lift point needs. During lifting work, the cable can slip out of the ferrule instead of holding the generator set as designed. Cummins identified the affected lifting cable as model 10RBAB.
There is no warning sign before failure. A suspect cable is identified visually: it has either a warning to use another lifting method, or it has been replaced with a properly crimped cable.
Who's affected?
The component named in the filing is a braided steel lifting cable.
| 2021 Smeal Pumper | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly crimped lifting cable can come out of place during a lifting operation. If that happens, the generator set can fall and injure people nearby. The issue has no warning sign, so keep people clear during lifting and schedule the inspection promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Smeal dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Smeal Pumper is included in this recall.
- Contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-867-6478 or your Smeal service provider to schedule the free Cummins generator-set lifting-cable inspection.
- Avoid lifting the generator set until Cummins inspects the improperly crimped cable and completes any cable replacement or warning-label installation.
- Reference recall number 21V810 and Smeal recall 21015 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Smeal technician inspects the lifting cable on the Cummins generator set. If the cable is improperly crimped or otherwise covered by the recall repair, the technician replaces the cable. If the cable passes inspection, the dealer installs the required warning label. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 5, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| November 5, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 12, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 10, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V810?
Recall 21V810 covers 1 2021 Smeal Pumper fire apparatus equipped with a Cummins generator set. The lifting cables were improperly crimped, which can let the generator set fall during lifting. Cummins will inspect the cable, then replace it or install a warning label for free.
What should I do if my 2021 Smeal Pumper is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm this specific fire apparatus is included in recall 21V810. If it is, contact a franchised Smeal dealer or Smeal customer service at 1-800-867-6478 and ask for recall 21015. The inspection and remedy are free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost, and the Smeal remedy says Cummins will inspect the lifting cable, then replace the cable or install a warning label free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury during a lifting operation. If an improperly crimped lifting cable comes out of place, the Cummins generator set can fall. Until the inspection is complete, use extra care around generator lifting work and schedule the free remedy through Smeal.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V810000 |
|---|---|
| Smeal customer service | 1-800-867-6478 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V810 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V810000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →