01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS
2015 Smeal Aerial recall campaigns
NHTSA 21V029000
- Component
- EQUIPMENT
- Report received
- January 28, 2021
- Potential units
- 343campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Smeal Holding, LLC (Smeal) is recalling certain 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles equipped with a positional waterway trolley. If the operator attempts to both extend the ladder, and shift from one mode to the other at the same time, the locking tabs can be broken off the locking arms.
Why it matters: A damaged positional waterway trolley can become disconnected from the ladder and drop to the ground, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the proximity switches for those units equipped with a positional waterway mode shift timer interlock system, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2021. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-867-6478.
Owner notification: March 25, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Smeal Holding, LLC
NHTSA 17V721000
- Component
- EQUIPMENT
- Report received
- November 16, 2017
- Potential units
- 20campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Smeal Holding LLC (Smeal) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Aerial and Pumper Fire Apparatus vehicles, equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.
Why it matters: A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and Hale service providers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-543-5008 or Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569. Smeal's number for this recall is 17028.
Owner notification: December 11, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Smeal Holding LLC
NHTSA 17V656000
- Component
- STRUCTURE
- Report received
- October 16, 2017
- Potential units
- 74campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Smeal Holding, Inc. (Smeal) is recalling certain 2010-2017 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles. The torque frame may crack at the notched area.
Why it matters: A cracked frame may cause the aerial device to be unstable, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will repair the cracks and add a reinforcement, free of charge. The recall began on December 8, 2017. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Smeal's number for this recall is 17024.
Owner notification: December 8, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Smeal Holding LLC
NHTSA 16V887000
- Component
- EQUIPMENT
- Report received
- December 9, 2016
- Potential units
- 216campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc. (Smeal) is recalling certain model year 1997-2016 Rear Mount Aerial Platform Apparatus emergency vehicles manufactured January 1, 1997, to November 30, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a movable ladder access guardrail that may bend or break under heavy loads.
Why it matters: A guardrail that bends or breaks under load can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will add a support to the opposite side of the guardrail, free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2017. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-877-415-8628.
Owner notification: January 11, 2017 · Filing manufacturer: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
NHTSA 16V663000
- Component
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Report received
- September 14, 2016
- Potential units
- 6campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc. (Smeal) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Aerial fire apparatus vehicles manufactured October 1, 2015, to August 31, 2015, equipped with Class 1 Ultraview Touchscreens manufactured by Hale Products. These touchscreens may experience false switch activations that can happen without the operator's knowledge causing accessories to turn on or off, affecting vehicle performance.
Why it matters: The unintended turning on or off of accessories such as emergency beacons or automatic snow chains can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the unit's software, free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2016. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-877-415-8628, option 1 for Smeal, then option 4 for Direct Customer Service.
Owner notification: October 18, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
NHTSA 16V583000
- Component
- POWER TRAIN
- Report received
- August 4, 2016
- Potential units
- 88campaign-wide
Defect and consequence
Defect: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc. (Smeal) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Smeal Aerial and Pumper fire trucks manufactured July 16, 2015, to August 1, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with certain C20 and C21 split-shaft transmissions from Waterous. This transmission sends power to the wheels of an emergency response vehicle or powers an add-on unit such as a water pump used for fighting fires. A component within the shift unit may be damaged and as a result, the operator may not be able to switch the power output.
Why it matters: If the power output cannot be changed, once the fire truck arrives at the scene, it may not be able to pump water to aid in extinguishing the fire, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will remove the shift unit assembly and replace the clevis pin and retaining rings, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2016. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-877-415-8628.
Owner notification: September 12, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
02 / COMPONENT BREADTH