2021 Altec Digger Derrick problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Altec Digger Derrick, and 2023-2025 Altec TA Series Aerial Device vehicles. Improper wiring may prevent the boom stow auto-neutral feature from engaging, which can allow the truck to be driven while the boom is still elevated.

Risk: When the vehicle is moved or driven with the boom out of stow, the vehicle could exceed the recorded travel height, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Altec will correct the wiring in the power distribution module to enable the boom stow auto-neutral functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 20, 2026. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN-3370.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Digger Derrick and 2021-2025 AM Series Aerial Device vehicles. The chassis engine may start unintentionally due to a missing diode in the Altec power distribution module.

Risk: An engine that starts unexpectedly increases the risk of injury to anyone near the engine compartment during maintenance operations.

Fix: Altec will provide instructions to inspect the power distribution module for a diode, and provide a repair kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN-3281.

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 2021-2023 Aerial Devices, Digger Derricks, Service Bodies and Cranes. Water can leak into the strobe lights, which could cause an electrical short-circuit.

Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Altec will provide instructions to inspect the light assembly for moisture and install a new fuse. If moisture is found or the light is inoperative, a light replacement kit will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 3079.

Defect: Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2021-2023 DT85 Digger Derricks. The Boom pressure limiter may allow the boom to lift loads above the rated capacity and over the Hydraulic Overload Protection (HOP) setting.

Risk: Lifting loads above the boom capacity could overload the unit and cause instability, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Altec will provide instructions to owners to test the boom lift pressure limiter setting and set it to the correct pressure, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2023. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 3078.

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.