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2018 Altec Digger Derrick problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
18
Service bulletins
26

The worst 2018 Altec Digger Derrick problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

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Recalls 18

Structure: frame and membersReported August 29, 2025 · 903 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 25V562000 · Recall details

Equipment: mechanical: winchReported September 14, 2023 · 53 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 23V636000 · Recall details

Equipment: mechanicalReported May 4, 2023 · 353 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 23V326000 · Recall details

Structure: bodyReported March 30, 2023 · 1,967 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 23V216000 · Recall details

Equipment: mechanical: boom/crane/ladder: controls/control wiringReported May 18, 2022 · 477 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 22V349000 · Recall details

Equipment: mechanical: boom/crane/ladderReported February 9, 2022 · 167 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 22V071000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported July 22, 2021 · 878 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 21V559000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported December 10, 2020 · 4,987 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 20V765000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported May 19, 2020 · 157 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 20V282000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported October 4, 2019 · 275 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Altec D2/3/4B, DLB, DMB, DHB, DT65 and DT80 Digger Derrick vehicles. The outrigger valves may be plumbed incorrectly. As a result, the outriggers could continue retracting after an operator has stopped controlling them.
Risk
If the outriggers continue to retract without command, the unit may become unstable and collapse, increasing the risk of injury or death to those nearby.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the outrigger valve plumbing correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 739.

Recall number 19V710000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported May 13, 2019 · 1,036 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2009-2019 DL/DM, DL/DMB, DH, D/2/3/4, and DC Digger Derrick vehicles. The slope indicator placard card may falsely indicate that the unit could be used without leveling on a 5 degree slope.
Risk
An operator may improperly set up the unit, making the unit unstable, thus increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners, and issue CSN 719 to owners, instructing them to remove the incorrect placards, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2019. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 719.

Recall number 19V365000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported February 27, 2019 · 14,389 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries, Inc (Altec) is recalling certain 2003-2019 Altec DL/DM, DL/DMB, and DC Digger Derrick vehicles. The pedestal tube welds may crack over time.
Risk
Unrepaired cracks may result in failure of the pedestal and uncontrolled movement increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners and will provide repairs as necessary and a reinforcing kit. The recall began April 3, 2019. Owners may contact Altec's customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 713.

Recall number 19V127000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lightsReported December 7, 2018 · 156 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries, Inc is recalling certain 2017-2018 Digger Derrick, Aerial Devices, and Service Body vehicles, equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such these vehicles fail to comply to with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 708.

Recall number 18V873000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported November 9, 2018 · 331 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2008-2018 Altec AC18, AC23, AC26, AC30 and AC38 Cranes and D2B, D3A, D4A/B, DL42B, DT65 and DT80 Digger Derrick vehicles. The wiring on the 12V circuit from the chassis battery to the Power Distribution Module (PDM) may be insufficiently sized.
Risk
The insufficiently sized wire may overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring to the PDM, with a larger wire and/or replace the circuit breaker, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2019. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 703.

Recall number 18V791000 · Recall details

StructureReported October 26, 2018 · 46 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2018 Altec DM45, DM47B, DC45 and DC47 Digger Derricks and TA50 and TA60 Aerial Devices. The high strength fasteners used to secure the pedestal to the turn table may fail.
Risk
If the fasteners fail, the pedestal may separate from the turn table, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Altec has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the fasteners, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is MAB 701.

Recall number 18V757000 · Recall details

Electrical system: softwareReported October 22, 2018 · 175 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries (Altec) is recalling certain 2014-2018 DHH and DHB Digger Derrick vehicles. The Zone Rating System may not alert the operator that the load being handled exceeds the rated load for the unit's specific position.
Risk
Without an alert, there is a greater risk of unit instability or a loss of load control, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners and dealers will update the Zone Rating System software, free of charge. The recall began December 12, 2018. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 700.

Recall number 18V745000 · Recall details

StructureReported October 9, 2018 · 1,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Altec LR7, L42A and AT37-G TDA58 aerial devices and DB37, DL/DMB D2/3/4B, and DMB digger derricks, equipped with fiberglass platforms. The step on the outside of the fiberglass platform can break off during normal use.
Risk
If the step separates from the platform, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Altec will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the platform step and replace the platform if the step has separated from the platform and add a platform step reinforcing kit, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 695.

Recall number 18V706000 · Recall details

StructureReported September 12, 2018 · 39 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain 2018 Altec AC18, AC23, AC30, AC40, AC45 Cranes, D2045, DT65 Digger Derricks, and AA55 Aerial Devices. The rotation platform fasteners may have been overtightened, possibly resulting in the fasteners breaking.
Risk
If the fasteners break, the pedestal or turntable may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Altec has notified owners, and the rotation bearing fasteners will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2018. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1‑877‑462‑5832. Altec's number for this recall is MAB 692.

Recall number 18V617000 · Recall details

See all 18 recalls for the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick

Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick 26

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 26 bulletins for the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick

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Is the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick reliable?

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How many recalls does the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick have?

18 recalls, covering structure, equipment and exterior lighting.

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