Recall 20V261 covers 16 2019-2020 International Motors tow vehicles for loose PTO hardware. Repair is free at any franchised International Motors dealer.
International Motors is recalling 16 2019-2020 Chevy Silverado Medium Duty and Cv tow vehicles because incorrectly installed Chelsea PTO hardware can loosen on Allison 2700 series transmissions. If the hardware loosens, transmission fluid can leak and the rear wheels can lock, increasing crash risk; International Motors dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Chelsea power takeoff, or PTO, on these 2019-2020 International Motors Chevy Silverado Medium Duty and Cv tow vehicles is mounted to the Allison 2700 series transmission. A PTO takes power from the transmission and sends it to work equipment, such as wrecker or wheel-lift hardware. The mount has to stay tight because the PTO shares the transmission case and fluid seal area.
On affected trucks, the PTO installation studs were threaded too far into the transmission. That left less thread engagement for the special locking nuts, meaning the nuts did not have enough stud length to hold the PTO as designed. As the truck works, the attachment hardware can loosen, the PTO can start to separate from the transmission, and transmission fluid can leak.
Owners can see warning signs before failure. The chassis warning system can activate from loss of transmission fluid, gear chatter can increase as the PTO separates, and a visual inspection can show loose attachment nuts.
Who's affected?
Covers the Chevy Silverado Medium Duty and Cv truck lines from the 2019-2020 model years, all involving the same PTO used with wrecker and wheel lift equipment.
| 2020 International Motors Chevy Silverado Medium Duty | Wrecker and wheel lift devices |
|---|---|
| 2019 International Motors Chevy Silverado Medium Duty | Wrecker and wheel lift devices |
| 2019 International Cv | Wrecker and wheel lift devices |
| 2020 International Cv | Wrecker and wheel lift devices |
| Units affected | 16 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
A loose power takeoff (PTO) attachment can cause transmission-fluid loss, and that fluid loss can lock the rear wheel and increase crash risk. Watch for a chassis warning, increased gear chatter, or loose attachment nuts during inspection. If those signs appear, stop driving and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised International Motors dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 International Motors Chevy Silverado Medium Duty or Cv is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised International Motors dealer to schedule the free PTO inspection and attachment-stud-kit repair that secures the loose hardware and prevents transmission-fluid loss.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 20V261 when you call.
- Avoid driving the vehicle if you see transmission-fluid loss, and ask the dealer about towing if the vehicle does not feel safe to move.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an International Motors technician inspects the power take off unit and installs a new attachment stud kit so the PTO hardware stays secured. The dealer repair is available now, and parts and labor are free under the recall. If you paid out of pocket for a PTO attachment hardware repair before the recall notice, Maintainer's general reimbursement plan covers documented qualifying expenses. Keep your repair paperwork and contact Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 before your service visit.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 7, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 8, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
| June 9, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 3, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V261?
Recall 20V261 covers 16 2019-2020 International Motors Chevy Silverado Medium Duty and Cv tow vehicles with Allison 2700 series transmissions and Chelsea power take offs. The PTO attachment hardware was installed incorrectly, which can loosen over time. Dealers will inspect the PTO and install a new attachment stud kit for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 International Motors Chevy Silverado Medium Duty or Cv is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific tow vehicle is included in recall 20V261. If it is, contact a franchised International Motors dealer to schedule the PTO inspection and attachment stud kit installation. Reference recall number 20V261 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will inspect the PTO and install a new attachment stud kit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of transmission fluid from loose PTO attachment hardware. If enough fluid is lost, the rear wheels can lock up, increasing crash risk. Until the repair is complete, use the VIN result and dealer guidance to decide how to handle the vehicle.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began June 9, 2020. That means the dealer remedy is available now for included vehicles. Ask the service desk to inspect the PTO, install the new attachment stud kit, and reference recall number 20V261 on the repair order.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V261000 |
|---|---|
| International Motors customer service | 1-800-831-8588 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V261 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V261000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →