Recall 17V049 affects 29 2016-2017 Autocar Xspotter vehicles missing a dash illumination dimmer switch. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.
Autocar is recalling 29 2016-2017 Xspotter vehicles because they were built without a dimmer switch for the dash illumination. Dash lights that are too dim or too bright increase the risk of a crash, and Autocar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The dash illumination dimmer in a 2016-2017 Autocar Xspotter is the control that lets the driver adjust how bright the instrument panel and dashboard lights are. At night or in low light, that adjustment helps the driver see gauges and controls without making the dash too bright for comfortable driving.
On the recalled Xspotter vehicles, the dimmer switch was left out during manufacturing. Autocar traced the problem to an incorrect bill of materials, which means the production instructions called for the wrong set of parts. The lights themselves are the issue only because the driver has no installed control to reduce or adjust their brightness.
There is no warning sign before failure. The condition is present from the time the vehicle is built, so an owner or driver would notice that there is no dimmer switch and no way to adjust dash illumination from the cab.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Autocar Xspotter | Interior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2017 Autocar Xspotter | Interior lighting |
| Units affected | 29 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Missing dash-illumination control can leave the dash lights too dim or too bright, which increases crash risk by making gauges harder to read or creating distraction. If the lighting interferes with safe visibility, schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Autocar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Autocar Xspotter is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Autocar dealer to schedule the free dimmer-switch installation that lets the dash illumination brightness be adjusted.
- Bring the recall notice if Autocar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V049 when you call.
- Avoid driving when the dash lights are too dim to read or bright enough to distract you until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Autocar technician installs a dimmer switch so the dash illumination brightness can be adjusted as required. The recall repair, including parts and labor, is free of charge. If you already paid out of pocket for a related dash illumination repair before the recall work, Autocar's general reimbursement plan is on file. Contact Autocar customer service or ask the dealer service desk how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 23, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 10, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 10, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 10, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 10, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V049?
Recall 17V049 covers 29 2016-2017 Autocar Xspotter vehicles built without a dimmer switch for dash illumination. That means the dash lights can be too dim or too bright, which raises crash risk. Autocar dealers will install the missing dimmer switch for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Autocar Xspotter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V049. If it is, contact an Autocar dealer to schedule installation of the dash-illumination dimmer switch. Reference recall number 17V049 or Autocar recall ACTT-1701 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Autocar dealers will install the dash-illumination dimmer switch free of charge. Autocar customer service is listed at 1-765-489-5499 for this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is poor dash visibility from lighting that is too dim or too bright. The recalled Xspotter vehicles were built without the required control to adjust dash illumination, so the driver can have trouble reading the display, which raises crash risk.
When did the Autocar Xspotter recall repair start?
The recall repair began on March 10, 2017. Because the remedy is available, an Autocar dealer can install the missing dimmer switch once your VIN is confirmed as included in recall 17V049.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V049000 |
|---|---|
| Autocar customer service | 1-765-489-5499 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V049 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V049000 |
Source documents
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Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
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Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
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Download Owner Notice (PDF)
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Download Recall Report (PDF)
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Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
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Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →