Recall 13V119 covers 22 2012-2013 Vactor Guzzler and Hxx vacuum trucks for missing water-heater burner control. Repair is free at any franchised Vactor dealer.
Vactor is recalling 22 2012-2013 Guzzler and Hxx vacuum trucks equipped with an Alkota water heater because the trucks lack an oil primary control. If the burner fails to ignite normally, fuel can collect in the combustion chamber and create a larger flame when lit, which raises the risk of a vehicle fire; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Alkota water heater on the 2012-2013 Vactor Guzzler and Hxx trucks is equipment that heats water used by the truck's cleaning system. Its burner uses fuel and ignition to create heat inside a combustion chamber, the enclosed area where the flame is supposed to burn. An oil primary control is the safety control that watches for proper ignition and stops fuel flow when the burner does not light.
On affected trucks, that oil primary control was not installed. If the burner does not ignite as designed, fuel keeps entering the water heater instead of being shut off by the control. That fuel can collect in the combustion chamber, leaving the heater in an unsafe state the next time the burner cycles.
There is no warning sign before failure. The way to identify the defect is by confirming whether the affected water heater has the missing oil primary control.
Who's affected?
Covers both Guzzler and Hxx trucks from the 2012 and 2013 model years, with Equipment listed as the shared component.
| 2013 Vactor Guzzler | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Vactor Hxx | Equipment |
| 2012 Vactor Guzzler | Equipment |
| 2013 Vactor Hxx | Equipment |
| Units affected | 22 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Fuel buildup in the burner can create a larger than normal flame when the burner is lit, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Avoid using the burner until the vehicle is checked, and schedule the recall work soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Vactor dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Vactor Guzzler or Hxx vacuum truck is included in this recall.
- Contact Vactor customer service at 1-815-672-3171 for current repair instructions before scheduling service.
- Ask a franchised Vactor dealer about the free burner assembly replacement that adds oil primary control to the Alkota water heater.
- Reference recall number 13V119 and Vactor recall SB-263 when you call.
- Keep the truck away from ignition sources and stop using the water heater until the burner assembly repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Vactor technician replaces the burner assembly for the Alkota water heater. That repair addresses the missing oil primary control described in campaign 13V119, where fuel can collect in the combustion chamber if the burner fails to ignite normally. The final dealer repair will be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so ask the service desk to confirm the burner assembly replacement when your truck is brought in.
Timeline
| April 3, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V119?
Recall 13V119 covers 22 2012-2013 Vactor Guzzler and Hxx vacuum trucks equipped with an Alkota water heater that lacks an oil primary control. If the heater burner fails to ignite normally, fuel can accumulate in the combustion chamber, creating fire risk referenced in NHTSA campaign 13V119.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Vactor Guzzler or Hxx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vacuum truck is included in recall 13V119. If it is, contact a franchised Vactor dealer to schedule the burner assembly replacement. Reference recall number SB-263 or NHTSA campaign 13V119 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Vactor dealers will replace the burner assembly free of charge. The remedy for recall 13V119 began during April 2013.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle fire. NHTSA campaign 13V119 says fuel can accumulate in the Alkota water heater combustion chamber if the burner fails to ignite normally. When the burner lights, the larger flame creates fire risk. The dealer fix is a free burner assembly replacement.
What if I bought this Vactor vacuum truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012-2013 Vactor Guzzler or Hxx is included, then call a franchised Vactor dealer and reference recall SB-263.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V119000 |
|---|---|
| Vactor customer service | 1-815-672-3171 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V119 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V119000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →