Recall 24V881 covers 158 1995-1996 Altec Am and An aerial devices for a defective hydraulic cylinder gland. Inspect the cylinder and contact Altec.
Altec is recalling 158 1995-1996 Am and An aerial devices because the hydraulic cylinder head gland can detach from the cylinder barrel while the boom is under load. A detached gland leaves the lower boom unsupported and raises the risk of injury if the boom falls; Altec dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The hydraulic cylinder on 1995-1996 Altec Am and An aerial devices helps raise, lower, and hold the boom while the equipment is under load. The cylinder uses hydraulic pressure inside a barrel, with a head gland at the end that keeps the assembly together and supports the boom's movement.
On affected units, the head gland material did not meet the design specification required for an aerial device. If the gland separates from the cylinder barrel while the boom is loaded, the lower boom is left unsupported. The issue traces to cylinders built during the affected production period, and earlier rebuild work also raised concern because damaged gland threads can weaken the connection.
A pre-use inspection or regular maintenance can find signs of fatigue or a cylinder leak. Outside of those visible checks, there is no other warning sign before the cylinder fails.
Who's affected?
Covers Am and An configurations across 1995 and 1996, all tied to hydraulic cylinder part 035040094.
| 1995 Altec Am | Hoses/cables/rods/gears/strut/cylinder |
|---|---|
| 1995 Altec An | Hoses/cables/rods/gears/strut/cylinder |
| 1996 Altec An | Hoses/cables/rods/gears/strut/cylinder |
| 1996 Altec Am | Hoses/cables/rods/gears/strut/cylinder |
| Units affected | 158 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 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?
A loss of lower boom support during operation can let the lower boom fall, increasing injury risk. Inspection or regular maintenance can show cylinder fatigue or a leak, but there is no other warning. If the cylinder is affected, remove the unit from service and arrange the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1995-1996 Altec Am or An aerial device is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to arrange the hydraulic-cylinder inspection and replacement that addresses the lower-boom support risk.
- Inspect the cylinder and compare its part number and serial number with Altec's affected-cylinder list before using the aerial device.
- Remove the unit from service if the cylinder is affected, or replace the cylinder before returning the unit to operation.
- Bring the owner letter if available, and reference recall number 24V881 when speaking with Altec.
What happens at the repair
Altec's remedy starts with checking the cylinder against the affected part number and serial number list. If the unit has an affected cylinder, remove the unit from service or replace the cylinder. If the owner keeps a recalled unit in service, Altec offers a kit the owner can purchase and install at the owner's expense. Altec's general reimbursement plan covers documented prior repairs tied to this recall, so keep repair paperwork and contact Altec customer service about the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 21, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 17, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| January 17, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 17, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V881?
Recall 24V881 covers 158 1995-1996 Altec Am and An aerial devices with a hydraulic cylinder head gland that was improperly manufactured. The gland can detach from the cylinder barrel under load, leaving the lower boom unsupported and increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 1995-1996 Altec Am or An is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific aerial device is included in recall 24V881. If it is, inspect the cylinder and compare it with Altec's affected part number and serial number list. If the cylinder is affected, remove the unit from service or replace the cylinder.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
Altec's remedy text says an owner with an affected cylinder should remove the unit from service or replace the cylinder. If an owner keeps a recalled unit in service, Altec offers a kit the owner can purchase and install at the owner's expense.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of lower boom support during operation. If the cylinder head gland detaches while the aerial device is under load, the lower boom can fall and increase the risk of injury to the operator or people nearby.
When were owners notified about recall 24V881?
Altec mailed owner notification letters on May 6, 2025. Reference recall 24V881 and Altec recall number CSN-3199 when you contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 or speak with the service team handling the cylinder inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V881000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V881 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V881000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →