Recall 20V289 covers 110 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers with lighting and reflector defects. Repair is free at a Vermeer dealer.
Vac-Tron is recalling 110 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT, Cs 1273 GT, and related vacuum excavator trailers because front clearance lamps are improperly positioned, with too little conspicuity tape and missing side or rear reflex reflectors. The defect makes the trailer harder to see in low visibility conditions, increasing crash risk, and Vac-Tron dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting on these Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers includes front clearance lamps, conspicuity tape, and reflex reflectors. The clearance lamps mark the trailer's width, while the reflective tape and reflectors help other drivers see the trailer from the side and rear after dark or in low light.
On the affected 2016-2020 Vac-Tron trailers, those visibility parts were not installed to the required layout. The front clearance lamps were positioned incorrectly, the sides did not have enough conspicuity tape, the rear lacked conspicuity tape, and side or rear reflex reflectors were missing. That means the trailer does not meet the lighting and reflector standard for this equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not feel a change while towing, so the issue is found by checking the lamps, tape, and reflectors against the recall repair instructions.
Who's affected?
Covers the listed GT, Sgt, and Dt trailer variants across the 2016-2020 model years, all tied to exterior lighting.
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 573 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 573 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 500 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 573 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 573 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 500 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 500 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 500 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 500 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 800 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 800 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 800 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 800 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 800 Dt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 573 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 110 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
Improper lamp placement, lack of reflectors, and insufficient reflective tape make the trailer harder for other drivers to see in low visibility, increasing crash risk. Avoid towing in low visibility 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 Cs 570 GT, Cs 1273 GT, Cs 1270 Sgt, Cs 1270 GT, Cs 573 GT, Cs 500 Dt, or Cs 800 Dt trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Vac-Tron dealer to schedule the free remedy-kit installation.
- Schedule the lighting, conspicuity-tape, and reflector repair that makes the trailer more visible in low visibility conditions.
- Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron sent one. If not, reference recall number 20V289 when you call.
- Use extra care in low visibility conditions until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the Vermeer dealer, a technician installs the remedy kit provided by Vac-Tron. The kit addresses the front clearance lamp placement, conspicuity tape, and missing side or rear reflex reflector issues covered by this recall. Parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. Vac-Tron's standard reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid for this recall-related repair before the notice. Bring documentation for the paid repair to the service desk, or contact Vac-Tron customer service at 1-888-822-8766 for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
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 20V289?
Recall 20V289 covers 110 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Cs 570 GT, Cs 1273 GT, Cs 1270 Sgt, Cs 1270 GT, Cs 573 GT, Cs 500 Dt, and Cs 800 Dt 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 Cs 570 GT, Cs 1273 GT, Cs 1270 Sgt, Cs 1270 GT, Cs 573 GT, Cs 500 Dt, or Cs 800 Dt is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V289. If it is, contact a franchised Vermeer dealer to schedule the remedy kit installation. Reference recall number 20V289 or Vac-Tron recall number VVK0008 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V289, Vermeer dealers install the Vac-Tron remedy kits free of charge, including the parts and dealer labor tied to the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The trailer has a visibility risk in low visibility conditions. Improperly positioned clearance lamps, too little reflective tape, and missing side or rear reflex reflectors can make the vacuum excavator trailer harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk.
When did the repair start?
The recall repair began July 14, 2020. That means the remedy is available now for included trailers. Check your VIN first, then call a franchised Vermeer dealer and ask for the free Vac-Tron remedy kit installation under recall 20V289.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V289000 |
|---|---|
| Vac-Tron customer service | 1-888-822-8766 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V289 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V289000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →