2010 Sutphen Sph 100 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (1)
Safety recalls (4)
Equipment:mechanical 2014-11-10 · campaign 14V718000 · 181 vehicles
Defect: Sutphen Corporation (Sutphen) is recalling certain model year 2000-2014 SPH 100, SP 110, SPI 112, SAI 110 aerial devices manufactured November 5, 2014. The main extension cable on the aerial ladders may fail.
Risk: A cable failure may cause the ladder to collapse in use, increasing the risk of injury to a user.
Fix: Sutphen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the ladders, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Sutphen customer service at 1-866-287-5549. Sutphen's number for this recall is NACIS# 336120.
Equipment 2013-11-13 · campaign 13V565000 · 156 vehicles
Defect: Sutphen Corporation (Sutphen) is recalling certain model year 2003-2012 SPH 100, model year 2000-2004 SP 110, model year 2003-2011 SPI 112 and model year 2003-2011 SAI 110 fire apparatus. In the affected vehicles, the bearings used for the extension of the ladder may seize causing the extension cables passing over them to chafe and fail.
Risk: Failure of the extend/retract system can cause the aerial to unexpectedly retract. This movement could result in injuries to personnel on or around the vehicle.
Fix: Sutphen has notified owners, and inspected all of the affected vehicles, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall was completed on May 17, 2013. Owners may contact Sutphen at 1-614-889-1005.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2011-12-14 · campaign 11V586000 · 98 vehicles
Defect: SUTPHEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2012 VEHICLES AND EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MODULES. SEE THE LIST ABOVE FOR THE AFFECTED MODELS. UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS, VEHICLE BODY ROLL AND ROAD INCLINATION CHARACTERISTICS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM. THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE OUTER WHEEL BRAKE ON THE F
Risk: IF THE DRIVER IS SLOW TO REACT DURING THIS ESC INTERVENTION, THE VEHICLE MAY DEVIATE FROM THE INTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: SUTPHEN IS WORKING WITH MERITOR WABCO TO REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE MERITOR WABCO DEFECT REPORT 11E-039. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERITOR ON TRACK CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-668-7221.
Power Train:driveline:universal Joint 2010-03-02 · campaign 10V071000 · 35 vehicles
Defect: SUTPHEN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 SPH MODEL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2004 AND JANUARY 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SERIES 60 DETROIT DIESEL OR C-13 CATERPILLAR ENGINES. PRE 2007, THE DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES WERE MOUNTED LOW IN THE FRAME WHICH CAUSES VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE. POST 2007, A NEW SUSPENSION AND FRAME DESIGN CAUSED THE DRIVELINE ANGLES OF THE DETROIT DIESEL AND CATERPILLAR ENGINES TO BE SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk: VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE U-JOINTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: SUTPHEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE FIRE TRUCKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUTPHEN AT 1-866-287-5549.
Service bulletins (2)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-06 · 10_2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
heater manifold valve orientation for heater lines. winter preparation for heat in cab.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-05 · Aug 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cable lubrication service bulletin
What owners report
2018-05-01 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 49,000 mi“report receipt date: oct 03, 2011 nhtsa campaign number: 11e039000 component(s): electronic stability control our fire trucks were not included in this recall at the time of publish, but we are now experiencing the recall problems with one of our fire trucks. the last incident almost drove the crew into a guardrail. i strongly believe that t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.