2020 Altec Digger Derrick problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2011-2025 Aerial Device, Digger Derrick, and 2022-2025 Service Body vehicles. The cable step wire rope assembly may be improperly secured, which can allow the cable entry step to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: A cable step that fails during use increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Altec will provide owners with instructions to inspect the cable crimps. If the cables are improperly crimped, Altec will provide instructions and a kit to replace the wire rope assemblies. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2025. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN-3246.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2004-2023 DL42 and DL45 Digger Derricks. The incorrect hydraulic load holding valve may have been installed, which can cause the winch to lower uncontrollably and the load to fall.

Risk: An uncontrolled load falling increases the risk of injury to personnel or others nearby.

Fix: Altec will replace the load holding valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 6, 2023. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is MAB 3113.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2017-2022 DC, DB, DL, DM, DH, DT, and D2/3/4000 Digger Derricks. The hardware that secures the removable auger hex extension bar to the drive unit coupler was not installed, which may cause it to detach.

Risk: An auger extension bar that detaches while the digger drive unit is deployed, can increase the risk of injury to nearby personnel.

Fix: Altec will provide instructions for owners to inspect the auger extension assembly for missing hardware. If hardware is found to be missing, a replacement kit will be provided by Altec, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 3076.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2016-2022 DM, DH, DC, DL, D2000, D3000, and D4000 series digger derricks, and AM55 aerial devices. The base of the rear pole rack may be missing a weld.

Risk: A missing weld on the rear pole rack can lead to a crack that could cause the pole and rack to drop in height, increasing the risk of an injury.

Fix: Altec will inspect the rear pole rack mounting plate, and if necessary, replace any required welds, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 3064.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2016-2022 E-series & DH-H series Digger Derricks. The relay connectors may have been reattached to the incorrect plug after a stability test was performed. If the connections are not correct, the hydraulic overload protection system will not function.

Risk: A nonfunctional overload protection system may result in the operator unknowingly overloading the system, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Altec will inspect and reattach the connectors, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2022. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 858.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2018-2021 DC and DM Series Digger Derricks and AM series Aerial Devices. The unit subbase may develop cracks in the bulkhead plate, which can cause the shear plates to fail.

Risk: Shear plate failure can result in the separation of the subbase and truck frame, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Altec will inspect the bulkhead plate, and add a reinforcement plate, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2022. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 851.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2016-2021 DH, D3000, DT65, and DT85 Digger Derricks. The operator may inadvertently move the pole guide joystick with their forearm due to the close proximity between the controls.

Risk: An unintentionally engaged joystick could result in uncontrolled movement of an unbalanced load, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Altec will provide a guard kit to install over the pole guide controls, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 15, 2021. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 829.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2018-2020 AA, AM, AN, A-Class, TA, DM, DL, DXXXX, DC, and DT digger derricks and aerial device vehicles equipped with a DC pump. A hydraulic check valve can have a snap ring failure resulting in the snap ring becoming lodged in a counterbalance or control valve allowing continued movement.

Risk: Unintended boom movement may result in potential injury and or property damage.

Fix: Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace the valve's snap ring, free of charge. The recall began February 9, 2021. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 787.

Defect: Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2019-2020 AA55, AM50, A77-T Aerial Devices and D2/3/4B, D3E, DHB, DHH and DHE Digger Derricks. The bolts that secure the pedestal to the turntable (with head marking 5252) may fail.

Risk: If the fasteners break, the pedestal may separate from the turntable, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Fix: Altec will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement fasteners if necessary, free of charge. This recall began October 29, 2020. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 778.

Defect: Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2018-2020 AA55, AM50 and A77 Aerial Devices and D2, D3, D4, DH-B and DH-H Digger Derricks. The bolts that secure the pedestal to the turntable (with head marking 5185) may fail.

Risk: If the fasteners break, the pedestal may separate from turntable, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Fix: Altec will notify owners and will provide replacement fasteners if necessary, free of charge. This recall began July 2, 2020. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 760.

Defect: Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2019-2020 DT65-E, D3000-E, and DH-E Digger Derricks Aerial devices. Operators could inadvertently open the pole guide while performing other tasks, possibly resulting in a loss of control of the load.

Risk: If the pole guide is opened while performing other operations, the pole may become unbalanced and cause loss of control of the load, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Fix: Altec will notify owners and will install a guard kit over the pole guide controls, free of charge. The recall began May 5, 2020. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 754.