The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·21V005000·Announced 2021-01-12

Smeal Recalls 2020 Aerial and Pumper Vehicles for Remote Controller Defect

Smeal is recalling 2020 Aerial and Pumper vehicles because a wireless remote controller defect may cause batteries to discharge faster, potentially hindering firefighting efforts.

What this means for you

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 source states the defect may increase the risk of injury but does not report any actual injuries or deaths, fitting the rubric for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Smeal Holding, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Aerial and Pumper vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with battery-powered 3600 wireless remote controller units used to control the movement of electric firefighting monitors. The monitors are used to direct the water stream and adjust the spray pattern.

The defect involves the wireless remote controller's sleep mode being disabled, which results in the batteries discharging faster than normal. The inability to use the wireless remote controller may hinder firefighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will ask the customer to return the affected controller to Akron Brass for a software update, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-867-6478. Smeal's number for this recall is 20-17. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The recalled product

Product
SMEAL AERIAL, PUMPER
Brand
SMEAL
Manufacturer
Smeal Holding, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Firefighting Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
2

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
  • PUMPER

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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