- 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
2018 Altec Digger Derrick Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 18 recalls, the latest in August 2025 for the frame and members.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Digger Derrick year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 18
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2018 Altec Digger Derrick recalls 18
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 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.
- The risk
- An auger extension bar that detaches while the digger drive unit is deployed, can increase the risk of injury to nearby personnel.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A nonfunctional overload protection system may result in the operator unknowingly overloading the system, increasing the risk of injury.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Shear plate failure can result in the separation of the subbase and truck frame, increasing the risk of injury.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An unintentionally engaged joystick could result in uncontrolled movement of an unbalanced load, increasing the risk of injury.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Unintended boom movement may result in potential injury and or property damage.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the fasteners break, the pedestal may separate from turntable, increasing the risk of injury or death.
- The 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- 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 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."
- The risk
- If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- 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 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.
- The risk
- If the fasteners fail, the pedestal may separate from the turn table, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Without an alert, there is a greater risk of unit instability or a loss of load control, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the step separates from the platform, it can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the fasteners break, the pedestal or turntable may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2018 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 years2018 Altec Digger Derrick vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Altec Digger Derrick | 0 | 18 | F | |
| 2018 Altec AT200A | 3 | 3 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick
Does the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 18 recalls for the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick: frame and members (August 2025); winch (September 2023); mechanical (May 2023); body (March 2023) 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 2018 Altec Digger Derrick had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2018 Altec Digger Derrick a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 20 out of 100 (grade F: far 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 2018 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