- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A cable step that fails during use increases the risk of injury.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Altec Digger Derrick Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 11 recalls, the latest in August 2025 for the frame and members.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Digger Derrick year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2012 Altec Digger Derrick recalls 11
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An uncontrolled load falling increases the risk of injury to personnel or others nearby.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An operator may improperly set up the unit, making the unit unstable, thus increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Unrepaired cracks may result in failure of the pedestal and uncontrolled movement increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The insufficiently sized wire may overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Digger Derrick and Aerial Device vehicles manufactured October 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014, and mounted on Freightliner chassis. In the event of a short circuit condition, the 30 amp breaker to the trailer relay module may react too slowly to prevent the module from overheating.
- The risk
- If the module overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 30 amp circuit breaker with a 20 amp one, free of charge. The recall began on April 17, 2015. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-800-860-0183. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 612.
- The problem
- Altec Industries, Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2000-2013 Aerial Device and Digger Derrick trucks, equipped with Sure Power Battery Equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
- The risk
- Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Altec will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected battery equalizer, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 603.
- The problem
- Altec Industries Inc. (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 DT80, and model year 2011-2013 D2, D3 and D4 digger derrick models manufactured June 2009 through November 2013. The fasteners that hold the bracket for the feeder tube (the telescopic hydraulic tube that supplies pump flow to the auger) may become loose allowing the feeder tube to fall.
- The risk
- A falling feeder tube increases the risk of injury to people nearby.
- The fix
- Altec will notify owners, and Altec service centers will install an upgraded feeder tube bracket and mounting hardware, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2014. Owners may contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's number for this recall is CSN 591.
- The problem
- Altec is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Digger Derrick models D2/3/4 and DC/DL/DM manufactured June 2012 through July 2013. The bolts that attach the winch motor to the winch may not be properly tightened and may become loose.
- The risk
- If the bolts come loose, the winch motor may detach causing the load to fall, which may result in personal injury.
- The fix
- Altec will notify owners and Altec service personnel will check and correct the torque of the winch motor bolts. The recall is expected to begin September 12, 2013. Owner's may contact Altec at 1-877-462-5832. Altec's recall number is CSN 586.
- The problem
- Altec Industries, Inc (Altec) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 DC, and DL/DM Digger Derrick utility trucks, equipped with boom tip winches using Tulsa Winch Group (formerly Gear Products) winch drums. In the affected vehicles, the winch drum could deform or fracture.
- The risk
- If the winch fails while in use, it could cause personal injury.
- The fix
- Altec will notify owners and dealers will replace the winch drum, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Altec's recall campaign number is CSN 574.
- The problem
- Altec Industries, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Digger Derrick vehicles equipped with a PENGO digger extension shaft. A defect in the base material at the weld joint may result in a stress fracture through the applied weld of the drive hub to the hex bar material.
- The risk
- The stress fracture could cause the extension shaft to separate from the drive hub when digging, increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
- The fix
- Altec will notify owners, and will inspect the PENGO digger extension shaft and, as necessary, replace the shaft, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 12, 2012. Owners may contact Altec Industries at 1-877-462-5832.
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No complaints about the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Altec Digger Derrick: every year compared
All Digger Derrick yearsQuestions about the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick
Does the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick: frame and members (August 2025); winch (September 2023); labels (May 2019); equipment (February 2019) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2012 Altec Digger Derrick a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 38 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Altec Digger Derrick year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2012 Altec Digger Derrick has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data