Recall 20V204 covers 52 2012-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers for incorrect exterior lighting. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.
Vac-Tron is recalling 52 2012-2020 Mc 835 Sdt, Mc 873 Sdt, Mc 855 Sdt, and Mc 833 Sdt vacuum excavator trailers because exterior lamps are improperly positioned, reflective tape is insufficient, and side or rear reflectors are missing. The lighting defects can make the trailer harder to see at night, increasing crash risk, and Vac-Tron dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting on 2012-2020 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt, Mc 873 Sdt, Mc 855 Sdt, and Mc 833 Sdt vacuum excavator trailers is supposed to show other drivers the trailer's width, position, and outline. Front clearance lamps mark the front corners, conspicuity tape reflects headlight beams along the sides and rear, and reflex reflectors give a passive reflective marker when the lamps are off.
On affected trailers, those visibility parts were built or placed incorrectly. The front clearance lamps are in the wrong position, the jetter blocks the passenger-side front clearance lamp from view, the sides have too little conspicuity tape, the rear lacks conspicuity tape, and side or rear reflex reflectors are missing. The problem is not a bulb burning out. It is the trailer's exterior visibility equipment not matching the required layout.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator can see the issue only by inspecting the lamps, tape, and reflectors around the trailer.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 Vac-Tron models across the 2012-2020 model years, all tied to exterior lighting.
| 2015 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2014 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Mc 833 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Vac-Tron Mc 873 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Vac-Tron Mc 855 Sdt | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 52 |
| 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 trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
At night, the trailer is harder for other drivers to see because the lamps, reflective tape, and reflectors do not meet the required position and visibility setup. Use extra caution in low light and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2020 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt, Mc 873 Sdt, Mc 855 Sdt, or Mc 833 Sdt trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Vac-Tron customer service or the Vermeer dealer named in your notice to schedule the free remedy kit installation.
- Schedule the remedy kit installation that corrects the exterior lamps, reflective tape, and reflectors so the trailer is visible at night.
- Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron mailed one. If you do not have it, reference recall number 20V204 when you call.
- Avoid nighttime towing until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the authorized Vermeer dealer, the remedy kit supplied by Vac-Tron is installed at no charge. The kit includes the parts and instructions needed to correct the exterior lighting and reflector issues, including clearance lamp placement, conspicuity tape, and missing side or rear reflex reflectors. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Vac-Tron lists recall number VVK0006 for this repair.
Timeline
| April 7, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V204?
Recall 20V204 covers 52 2012-2020 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt, Mc 873 Sdt, Mc 855 Sdt, and Mc 833 Sdt Vacuum Excavator trailers with exterior lighting, conspicuity tape, and reflector issues. Vermeer dealers will install Vac-Tron remedy kits for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2020 Vac-Tron Mc 835 Sdt, Mc 873 Sdt, Mc 855 Sdt, or Mc 833 Sdt is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V204. If it is, contact a Vermeer dealer to schedule the remedy kit installation. Reference recall number 20V204 or Vac-Tron recall number VVK0006 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Vac-Tron will provide remedy kits for Vermeer dealers to install free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for trailers included in recall 20V204.
What is the safety risk for recall 20V204?
The safety risk is reduced trailer visibility at night. Improperly positioned lamps, blocked clearance-lamp visibility, insufficient conspicuity tape, and missing side or rear reflex reflectors can make the trailer harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Vac-Tron trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included in recall 20V204, then contact a Vermeer dealer for the free remedy kit installation.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V204000 |
|---|---|
| Vac-Tron customer service | 1-888-822-8766 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V204 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V204000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →