Recall 23V636 affects 53 2004-2023 Altec Digger Derrick vehicles for an incorrect hydraulic load holding valve. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 53 2004-2023 Digger Derrick vehicles because an incorrect hydraulic load holding valve can let the winch lower without control and drop the load. A falling load increases the risk of injury to personnel or others nearby, and Altec dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The load holding valve on affected 2004-2023 Altec Digger Derrick units is part of the boom tip winch hydraulic system. Its normal job is to hold hydraulic pressure in the winch motor so a suspended load stays in place when the winch control is in neutral. That holding function is what keeps the line from paying out when the operator has stopped commanding movement.
On these digger derricks, the wrong hydraulic load holding valve was installed on certain boom tip winches. The incorrect valve block does not provide the load-holding function needed for this winch motor installation. As a result, a load on the winch line can lower without command, and the load can fall.
There is no warning sign before failure that tells the operator the wrong valve is installed. The first sign is the winch failing to hold a load during regular operation, such as the load lowering while the control is in neutral.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2004-2023 model years, all tied to the same winch load holding valve.
| 2019 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
|---|---|
| 2009 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2015 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2012 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2008 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2014 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2017 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2011 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2004 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2007 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2023 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2020 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2018 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2006 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2013 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2021 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2005 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2010 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2022 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| 2016 Altec Digger Derrick | Winch |
| Units affected | 53 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An uncontrolled load falling increases the risk of injury to personnel or others nearby. There is no warning that the incorrect load-holding valve is installed. If the winch fails to hold a load during operation, take the equipment out of service and have it inspected. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2023 Altec Digger Derrick is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to schedule the free load holding valve replacement that fixes the winch-lowering defect.
- Bring the owner notice to the repair appointment, and reference recall number 23V636 when you call.
- Keep personnel clear of loads handled by the winch until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the service appointment, an Altec technician replaces the incorrect hydraulic load holding valve with the correct valve. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related load holding valve or winch repair before the recall notice, Altec's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork to Altec customer service or the service desk so they can review the claim under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 14, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 22, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 6, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| October 6, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 6, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V636?
Recall 23V636 covers 53 2004-2023 Altec Digger Derrick units with an incorrect hydraulic load holding valve installed on the winch. The wrong valve can let the winch lower without control and allow the load to fall. Altec will replace the load holding valve for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2023 Altec Digger Derrick is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 23V636. If it is, contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to arrange the free load holding valve replacement. Keep personnel clear of suspended loads until the repair is complete.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Altec will replace the affected load holding valve free of charge. Ask Altec customer service how to schedule the repair and reference recall 23V636 when you call.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an uncontrolled falling load. If the incorrect hydraulic load holding valve is installed, the winch can lower without control and the load can fall, increasing the risk of injury to personnel or others nearby. The fix is the free valve replacement from Altec.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V636000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V636 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V636000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →