Smeal Recalls 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus Due to Trolley Defect
Smeal is recalling 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles because a defective trolley can detach from the ladder, posing a risk of injury or death.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect increases the risk of injury or death, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating involving significant injury or death risks.
Plain-English summary
Smeal Holding, LLC is recalling certain 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles equipped with a positional waterway trolley. The recall affects 343 units.
The defect involves the locking tabs on the locking arms, which can break off if the operator attempts to extend the ladder and shift modes simultaneously. This damage can cause the positional waterway trolley to disconnect from the ladder and drop to the ground, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the proximity switches for units equipped with a positional waterway mode shift timer interlock system at no charge. The recall began on March 25, 2021. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-867-6478 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- SMEAL AERIAL
- Brand
- SMEAL
- Manufacturer
- Smeal Holding, LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — Fire Apparatus
- Affected units
- 343
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 (1)
- AERIAL
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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