EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
Defect Description
Sutphen Corporation (Sutphen) is recalling certain model year 2000-2014 SPH 100, SP 110, SPI 112, SAI 110 aerial devices manufactured November 5, 2014. The main extension cable on the aerial ladders may fail.
Consequence
A cable failure may cause the ladder to collapse in use, increasing the risk of injury to a user.
Remedy
Sutphen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the ladders, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Sutphen customer service at 1-866-287-5549. Sutphen's number for this recall is NACIS# 336120.
181 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Sutphen Corporation
EQUIPMENT
Defect Description
Sutphen Corporation (Sutphen) is recalling certain model year 2003-2012 SPH 100, model year 2000-2004 SP 110, model year 2003-2011 SPI 112 and model year 2003-2011 SAI 110 fire apparatus. In the affected vehicles, the bearings used for the extension of the ladder may seize causing the extension cab
... les passing over them to chafe and fail.Read moreConsequence
Failure of the extend/retract system can cause the aerial to unexpectedly retract. This movement could result in injuries to personnel on or around the vehicle.
Remedy
Sutphen has notified owners, and inspected all of the affected vehicles, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall was completed on May 17, 2013. Owners may contact Sutphen at 1-614-889-1005.
156 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: Sutphen Corporation
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
Defect Description
SUTPHEN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 SPH MODEL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2004 AND JANUARY 2010, EQUIPPED WITH SERIES 60 DETROIT DIESEL OR C-13 CATERPILLAR ENGINES. PRE 2007, THE DETROIT DIESEL ENGINES WERE MOUNTED LOW IN THE FRAME WHICH CA
... USES VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE. POST 2007, A NEW SUSPENSION AND FRAME DESIGN CAUSED THE DRIVELINE ANGLES OF THE DETROIT DIESEL AND CATERPILLAR ENGINES TO BE SLIGHTLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT.Read moreConsequence
VIBRATION IN THE DRIVELINE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE U-JOINTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
SUTPHEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE FIRE TRUCKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUTPHEN AT 1-866-287-5549.
35 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: SUTPHEN CORPORATION
NHTSA Safety Investigations — SUTPHEN SPH 100
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE — Closed
— Model Year: 2009
Aerial Fire Apparatus Cable Failure
On May 22, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate an alleged failure of an aerial ladder bucket on a subject vehicle while in operation.The failure occurred during a public relations event at a fire station while four civilians and one
... firefighter were being elevated in the aerial ladder bucket.Once the ladder was fully extended at a 45 degree angle, the ladder component of the vehicle experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure. This resulted in the ladder retracting rapidly into its bedded position.This sudden stoppage caused multiple injuries to all five of the occupants within the aerial ladder bucket.Sutphen concluded that the main cables were worn. The bearings in the sheaves used in the extend/retract the system had seized and prevented the sheaves from rotating. The cables sliding over the non-moving sheaves resulted in excessive wear and reduced load carrying capacity.Failure of the extend/retract system can result in either the aerial becoming inoperable or cause it to unexpectedly retract. This movement could result in damage to the vehicle and/or injuries to personnel on or around the vehicle.Sutphen is conducting a voluntary Safety Recall (13V-565) to address the safety concerns with the aerial ladder.As part of the remedy, Sutphen will inspect each vehicle for worn parts and will provide detailed instructions for vehicle owners on how to inspect and maintain the aerial ladder portion of the fire apparatus.Read more