Recall 16V378 affects 636 2012-2016 Vermeer BC900XL wood chippers for improper chassis welds. Repair will be free at any franchised Vermeer dealer once available.
Vermeer is recalling 636 2012-2016 BC900XL wood chippers because improper chassis welds can let the chipper separate from the tow vehicle. Separation raises crash risk, and the Vermeer dealer repair will be free once the fix is available.
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What's wrong?
The tongue and main frame on a 2012-2016 Vermeer BC900XL wood chipper form the structure that connects the chipper to the tow vehicle. The tongue carries towing loads from the hitch into the frame, so the welds at that joint have to hold the chipper straight and attached while it is being pulled.
On affected BC900XL chippers, the weld at the tongue to main frame interface was undercut during manufacturing. An undercut weld leaves a small groove beside the weld bead, which creates a high stress point instead of spreading the load through the frame. Over use, that stress point can start a crack in the tongue area. If the crack grows, the tongue can fail and the chipper can separate from the tow vehicle.
Owners or operators can see the warning sign before failure. Look for small cracks where the tongue meets the main frame, especially around the welded joint.
Who's affected?
Covers 5 BC900XL model years, all tied to the same body or structural component.
| 2013 Vermeer BC900XL | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2012 Vermeer BC900XL | body or structural component |
| 2015 Vermeer BC900XL | body or structural component |
| 2016 Vermeer BC900XL | body or structural component |
| 2014 Vermeer BC900XL | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 636 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A cracked tongue area can let the brush chipper separate from the tow vehicle, increasing crash risk. Small cracks where the tongue meets the main frame are the warning sign. If you see cracks, stop towing the BC900XL and call a Vermeer dealer before moving it again. Repair will be free at any franchised Vermeer dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2016 Vermeer BC900XL is included in this recall.
- Contact Vermeer customer service at 1-800-829-0051 for current repair instructions before towing the chipper.
- Ask whether the fixed-tongue replacement is ready, since the repair replaces the tongue assembly tied to the improper chassis welds.
- Reference recall number 16V378 and Vermeer recall IK3304 when you call or schedule service.
- Avoid towing the chipper until Vermeer confirms the repair path or gives you dealer instructions.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair will be free once available. At the dealer, a Vermeer technician will remove the current fixed tongue from the BC900XL wood chipper and bolt on a new fixed tongue. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. For related repairs already paid before the recall notice, Vermeer's standard reimbursement plan covers documented eligible expenses. Keep repair paperwork and ask Vermeer customer service how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 27, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 19, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V378?
Recall 16V378 covers 636 2012-2016 Vermeer BC900XL wood chippers with chassis welds that can let the chipper separate from the tow vehicle. Vermeer dealers will remove the fixed tongue and bolt on a new fixed tongue for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2016 Vermeer BC900XL is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific wood chipper is included in recall 16V378. If it is, call a franchised Vermeer dealer or Vermeer customer service at 1-800-829-0051 and reference recall IK3304. Ask the dealer to confirm parts and appointment timing for your VIN.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V378, Vermeer dealers will remove the current fixed tongue and bolt on a new fixed tongue free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is separation from the tow vehicle. If the BC900XL brush chipper separates while being towed, Vermeer says that increases crash risk. Confirm whether your VIN is included before towing the chipper, then arrange the free dealer repair.
When did Vermeer expect the recall repair to start?
Vermeer expected the recall to begin in July 2016. Because this is an older recall, use your VIN to confirm the current status for your specific BC900XL and ask the Vermeer dealer to verify parts before scheduling service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V378000 |
|---|---|
| Vermeer customer service | 1-800-829-0051 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V378 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V378000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →