Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus Recalled for Guardrail Defect
Smeal is recalling 216 aerial fire apparatus vehicles because a movable ladder access guardrail may bend or break under heavy loads, increasing injury risk.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural component (guardrail) that may fail under load, posing a risk of injury, but the source text does not report any actual injuries or fatalities, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.
Plain-English summary
Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc. is recalling certain model year 1997-2016 Rear Mount Aerial Platform Apparatus emergency vehicles. The affected vehicles were manufactured between January 1, 1997, and November 30, 2016. A total of 216 units are included in this recall.
The recall addresses a movable ladder access guardrail that may bend or break under heavy loads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a guardrail that fails under load can increase the risk of injury to personnel.
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 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- SMEAL AERIAL, AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS
- Brand
- SMEAL
- Manufacturer
- Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Fire Apparatus
- Affected units
- 216
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (2)
- AERIAL
- AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · SMEAL
- SevereSmeal Recalls 2024-2026 Aerial Vehicles Due to Hydraulic Hose Defect
NHTSA · 2025-10-30
- HighSmeal Recalls 2021 Pumper Fire Trucks Due to Lifting Cable Defect
NHTSA · 2021-10-15
- SevereSmeal Recalls 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Trolley Defect
NHTSA · 2021-01-28
- High
- SevereSmeal Recalls 2017-2019 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Missing Welds
NHTSA · 2019-04-30
Same manufacturer · Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
See all →- HighSmeal Recalls 2015-2016 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Touchscreen Defect
NHTSA · 2016-09-14
- HighSmeal Fire Trucks Recalled for Transmission Shift Unit Defect
NHTSA · 2016-08-04
Same hazard · structural failure
See all →- High
- ModerateQuantum Ops Recalls ADAPTABLE Beach Chair Surgical Patient Positioners
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
- SevereMedline Bariatric Rollator Recalled Due to Front Wheel Assembly Disconnect Risk
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
- SevereMedline Bariatric Rollator Recalled Due to Front Wheel Detachment Risk
FDA (Devices) · 2026-10-14
- SeverePacearth Recalls Swing Seats Due to Serious Injury Risk from Falling
CPSC · 2026-10-08
Similar recalls
- HighSmeal Recalls 2016-2017 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Hydraulic Leak Risk
NHTSA · 2017-07-20
- SevereSmeal Recalls 2017-2019 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Missing Welds
NHTSA · 2019-04-30
- SevereSmeal Recalls 2010-2017 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Frame Cracks
NHTSA · 2017-10-16
- SevereSmeal Recalls 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Trolley Defect
NHTSA · 2021-01-28
- HighSmeal Recalls 2015-2016 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Touchscreen Defect
NHTSA · 2016-09-14
- HighFerrara Recalls Fire Apparatus Due to Guardrail Defect
NHTSA · 2017-05-18