Recall 20V290 affects 21 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers for lighting and reflector defects. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.
Vac-Tron is recalling 21 2016-2020 vacuum excavator trailers, including the Lp 1273 Xdt and Cs 1270 GT, because clearance lamps, reflective tape, and reflectors do not meet federal visibility requirements. In low visibility, the trailer is harder to see and crash risk increases; Vac-Tron dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exterior lighting and reflective markings on 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers are meant to show the trailer's width, sides, and rear to other drivers. Front clearance lamps mark the front corners. Conspicuity tape is the reflective striping along the trailer body, and reflex reflectors return light from another vehicle's headlights.
On affected trailers, those visibility parts were not placed or installed correctly. The front clearance lamps sit in the wrong position, the sides do not have enough reflective tape, the rear lacks required tape, and the side or rear reflex reflectors are missing. The problem is a build configuration issue, not a worn bulb or damaged wire.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are unlikely to notice the defect during normal use unless they inspect the lamp placement, side tape, rear tape, and reflectors against the required trailer-lighting layout.
Who's affected?
Covers the listed Vac-Tron trailer models across the 2016-2020 model years, all involving exterior lighting.
| 2020 Vac-Tron Lp 1273 Xdt | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Lp 1273 Xdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 1270 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Cs 870 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Lp 1273 Xdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Vac-Tron Lp 1273 Xdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Lp 1273 Xdt | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cs 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 GT | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Vac-Tron Cv 1273 Sgt | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 21 |
| 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 trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improper lamp placement, insufficient reflective tape, and missing reflectors reduce the trailer's visibility in low visibility conditions. This increases crash risk for the towing vehicle and nearby traffic. Schedule the remedy soon, especially if the trailer is used before dawn, after dark, or in poor weather. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Lp 1273 Xdt, Cv 1273 Sgt, Cs 1270 GT, Cs 1273 GT, Cs 870 GT, Cv 1273 GT, or Cs 873 GT vacuum excavator trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Vac-Tron dealer to schedule the free remedy-kit installation that corrects the trailer lamps, reflective tape, and reflex reflectors.
- Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V290 when you call.
- Avoid towing the trailer in low visibility until the remedy kit is installed.
- Call Vac-Tron customer service at 1-888-822-8766 with questions about scheduling or parts.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, the technician installs Vac-Tron remedy kits to correct the front clearance lamp position, add the required conspicuity tape, and address the side or rear reflex reflector issue covered by recall 20V290. The repair is available now, and parts and labor are free under the recall. Vac-Tron has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related repair before the recall repair opened, ask Vac-Tron customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documented expenses under that plan.
| 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 20V290?
Recall 20V290 covers 21 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers with improperly positioned front clearance lamps, insufficient conspicuity tape, or missing side or rear reflex reflectors. The trailer can be harder to see in low visibility, increasing crash risk. Vermeer dealers install the remedy kit for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 20V290. If it is, contact Vac-Tron customer service at 1-888-822-8766 or a Vermeer dealer to schedule the free remedy kit installation. Reference recall number 20V290 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 20V290, Vermeer dealers install the Vac-Tron remedy kit free of charge, including the lighting, reflector, and conspicuity tape corrections covered by the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced trailer visibility in low visibility conditions. Improper front clearance lamp placement, too little reflective tape, or missing reflex reflectors can make the trailer harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk. The free dealer remedy corrects the visibility equipment.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall began July 14, 2020, so the remedy is available now. If your VIN is included, contact Vac-Tron customer service or a Vermeer dealer and ask for the free remedy kit installation for recall 20V290.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V290000 |
|---|---|
| Vac-Tron customer service | 1-888-822-8766 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V290 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V290000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →