NHTSA vehicle safety data
2020 Smeal Aerial Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2020 Smeal Aerial has 2 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 2020 Smeal Aerial. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:BOOM/CRANE/LADDER
NHTSA #21V029000Reported January 28, 2021 · Smeal Holding, LLC
Potentially affected: 343 vehicles
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A damaged positional waterway trolley can become disconnected from the ladder and drop to the ground, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Manufacturer 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.
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 #21V005000Reported January 12, 2021 · Smeal Holding, LLC
Potentially affected: 2 vehicles
Defect description
Smeal Holding, LLC (Smeal) is recalling certain 2020 Aerial and Pumper vehicles, equipped with battery-powered 3600 wireless remote controller units used to control the movement of electric firefighting monitors in firefighting vehicles. The monitor is used to direct the water stream and adjust the spray pattern. The wireless remote controller's sleep mode is disabled, which results in the batteries discharging faster than normal.
Safety consequence
Inability to use the wireless remote controller may hinder the firefighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
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 model years
Check your 2020 Smeal Aerial VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Smeal Aerial at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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