NHTSA vehicle safety data
2016 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2016 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Smeal dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
EQUIPMENT
NHTSA #17V463000Reported July 20, 2017 · Smeal Holding LLC
Potentially affected: 109 vehicles
Defect description
Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc. (Smeal) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Aerial Fire Apparatus emergency vehicles. The hydraulic manifold that controls the aerial device may not be fully seated, possibly resulting in a hydraulic fluid leak.
Safety consequence
The hydraulic fluid leak may result in inadvertent movement of the aerial device, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mating surface of the hydraulic manifold, correcting the problem as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2017. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Smeal's number for this recall is 17019.
Notes
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.
EQUIPMENT
NHTSA #16V887000Reported December 9, 2016 · Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
Potentially affected: 216 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A guardrail that bends or breaks under load can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NHTSA #16V663000Reported September 14, 2016 · Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
Potentially affected: 6 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
The unintended turning on or off of accessories such as emergency beacons or automatic snow chains can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
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.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NHTSA #16V583000Reported August 4, 2016 · Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., Inc.
Potentially affected: 88 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
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.
Other Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus model years
Check your 2016 Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Smeal Aerial Fire Apparatus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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