Recall 26V409 affects 6 2023-2025 Altec Digger Derrick vehicles for an incorrect pole rack capacity rating. Altec provides the safety placard free.
Altec is recalling 6 2023-2025 Digger Derrick vehicles because the pole rack capacity rating is wrong after the vertical center of gravity was calculated incorrectly with poles loaded. At full rack capacity, braking or cornering can lead to loss of vehicle control and a higher crash risk, and Altec dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The pole rack on a 2023-2025 Altec Digger Derrick is the carrier that holds utility poles on the truck. Its capacity rating tells the crew how much pole weight the rack can carry while keeping the truck's vertical center of gravity within Altec's required limit. In plain terms, that rating is part of the truck's stability calculation.
On affected trucks, the engineering weight study behind that rating was wrong. Altec did not calculate the vertical center of gravity with poles in the rack to its required standard, so the capacity shown to the user was too high for the corrected calculation. If the pole rack is loaded to that incorrect full rating, the truck can operate beyond the recommended center-of-gravity limit for on-highway use.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is a bad capacity calculation, not a part that makes noise, leaks, or changes how the truck feels before the rack is loaded.
Who's affected?
All listed model years point to the same carrier/rack equipment component.
| 2025 Altec Digger Derrick | Carrier/rack |
|---|---|
| 2024 Altec Digger Derrick | Carrier/rack |
| 2023 Altec Digger Derrick | Carrier/rack |
| Units affected | 6 |
| 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 truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 26V409 says the pole rack can create an incorrect high vertical center of gravity when used at full capacity. During braking or cornering, that can lead to loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. There is no warning before the handling problem. Limit heavy rack use until the free remedy is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2025 Altec Digger Derrick is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec customer service to request the free safety alert placard for recall number 26V409.
- Use the placard to follow the corrected pole rack capacity rating before carrying poles.
- Avoid loading the pole rack to its old full-capacity rating until the corrected placard is in place.
- Drive cautiously when the pole rack is loaded, especially during braking and cornering.
What happens at the repair
For this recall, Altec provides the safety alert placard at no charge. The placard corrects the pole rack capacity information after the vertical center of gravity calculation for poles in the rack was wrong. An Altec technician or service contact can confirm the placard applies to your Digger Derrick and tell you where it belongs on the vehicle. If you already paid for a related placard or capacity rating correction before the recall notice, Altec uses its general reimbursement plan on file. Keep your documentation and contact Altec customer service about the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V409?
Recall 26V409 covers 6 2023-2025 Altec Digger Derrick vehicles with an incorrect pole rack capacity rating. Altec says the vertical center of gravity with poles in the rack was not calculated properly. Altec will provide a safety alert placard for free.
What should I do if my 2023-2025 Altec Digger Derrick is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V409. If it is, contact Altec customer service or your Altec service provider and ask for the CSN-3335 safety alert placard. The remedy is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Altec will provide the safety alert placard free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to remedy the defect at no cost, and this recall names Altec's CSN-3335 as the company recall number.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control while using the pole rack at full capacity. Altec says the incorrect vertical center of gravity during braking and cornering raises crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then follow Altec's recall remedy before using the rack at full capacity.
When will Altec notify owners about recall 26V409?
Altec expects to mail owner notification letters on August 21, 2026. You do not need to wait for a letter to act. Check your VIN, then contact Altec customer service or your Altec service provider with recall 26V409 and CSN-3335.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V409000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V409 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V409000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on July 4, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →