Recall 20V288 affects 104 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers with lighting, tape, and reflector defects. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.
Vac-Tron is recalling 104 2016-2020 Lp Mini 373 GT, Lp Mini 373 Dt, Cs 870 GT, and Cs 873 GT vacuum excavator trailers because clearance lamps, reflective tape, or reflex reflectors do not meet visibility requirements. Reduced trailer visibility raises crash risk, and Vac-Tron dealers will correct the lamps, tape, and reflectors free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting on the 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT, Lp Mini 373 Dt, Cs 870 GT, and Cs 873 GT vacuum excavator trailers is supposed to make the trailer visible from the front, side, and rear. Clearance lamps show the trailer's width, conspicuity tape reflects headlights, and reflex reflectors give another visible marker when the trailer is parked or moving.
In recall 20V288, the affected trailers were built with the front clearance lamps in the wrong position. They also lack enough conspicuity tape on the sides and rear, and they lack side or rear reflex reflectors. That means the lighting and reflective equipment do not meet the federal standard for lamps, reflective devices, and related equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a build-condition problem, so an owner will not feel a change while towing unless they inspect the lamps, tape, and reflectors.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 Vac-Tron models across the 2016-2020 model years, all with the same exterior lighting component.
| 2020 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2017 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 104 |
| 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?
Reduced trailer visibility raises crash risk because other drivers have less warning from the lamps, reflective tape, and reflectors. Use extra care around traffic and poor light until the remedy kit is installed. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT, Lp Mini 373 Dt, Cs 870 GT, or Cs 873 GT trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a Vac-Tron service dealer to schedule the free remedy-kit installation.
- Schedule the remedy-kit installation that corrects the clearance lamp position, reflective tape, and missing reflector issues.
- Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V288 and Vac-Tron recall VVK0007 when you call.
- Use extra caution when towing before the repair, since the trailer visibility is reduced by the lighting and reflector defects.
What happens at the repair
At the Vermeer dealer, a Vac-Tron technician installs the Vac-Tron remedy kit on the trailer. The kit corrects the front clearance lamp placement, adds the required conspicuity tape on the sides and rear, and fits side or rear reflex reflectors where the trailer lacks them. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. The campaign began July 14, 2020, so owners can contact a Vermeer dealer or Vac-Tron customer service to arrange the kit installation.
Timeline
| May 20, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| June 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 13, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 13, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 14, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V288?
Recall 20V288 covers 104 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT, Lp Mini 373 Dt, Cs 870 GT, and Cs 873 GT vacuum excavator trailers with exterior lighting and reflector defects. Vermeer dealers install Vac-Tron remedy kits for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Lp Mini 373 GT, Lp Mini 373 Dt, Cs 870 GT, or Cs 873 GT is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V288. If it is, contact a Vermeer dealer to schedule the remedy kit installation. Reference recall number 20V288 and Vac-Tron recall number VVK0007 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Vermeer dealers will install the Vac-Tron remedy kit free of charge, including the needed lighting, conspicuity tape, or reflector corrections for included trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced trailer visibility. Improper front clearance lamp position, too little reflective tape, or missing side and rear reflex reflectors can make the trailer harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk. The dealer remedy corrects those visibility defects for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V288000 |
|---|---|
| Vac-Tron customer service | 1-352-728-2222 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V288 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V288000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →