2020 Smeal Aerial, 2020 Smeal Pumper Recall: Monitor is used to direct the water stream and adjust the spray pattern
NHTSA campaign 21V005000 · Equipment · filed Jan 12, 2021 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
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.
The risk
Inability to use the wireless remote controller may hinder the firefighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
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.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Smeal Aerial recalls
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- 2020–2022 KME Aerial Fire Apparatus and 4 other models — In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the…
- 2008–2020 Smeal Aerial — If the operator attempts to both extend the ladder, and…
- 2013–2017 Smeal Aerial and 1 other model — Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after…
- 2010–2017 Smeal Aerial — Torque frame may crack at the notched area
Other campaigns involving Smeal vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 21V005000 (manufacturer number 20-17). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.