2016-2020 Vac-Tron GT/XDT Recall 20V293: Rear Guard

Recall 20V293 covers 21 2016-2020 Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailers with reduced rear impact protection. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.

What's wrong?

The rear impact protection on a Vac-Tron vacuum excavator trailer is the structure at the back of the trailer that helps manage a hit from behind. On the 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT, Cs 1270 GT, Cs 870 GT, Cv 1273 GT, Cs 1273 GT, Cv 1273 Sgt, and Lp 1273 Xdt trailers, that protection depends on the rear frame and lower chassis reaching the correct position behind the equipment body.

The problem is the rear extremity of the trailer extends too far past the rear of the trailer frame. These trailers were built with no extended lower chassis, so the rear impact protection does not cover the area it is required to protect. That design leaves less impact protection at the back of the trailer and does not meet the rear impact protection standard.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not hear a noise, see a warning light, or feel a change while towing that tells them the rear structure is out of compliance.

Who's affected?

The scope spans the 2016-2020 model years across Cs, Cv, and Lp GT, Sgt, and Xdt model families, with body-structure and bumper components listed throughout.

A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.

What's the safety risk?

In a rear impact crash, the rear underride guard issue can allow another vehicle to travel under the rear of the vacuum excavator, increasing the risk of serious injury or death to someone in that vehicle. Drive with extra care around traffic until the remedy kit is installed. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2020 Vac-Tron Cs 873 GT, Cs 1270 GT, Cs 870 GT, Cv 1273 GT, Cs 1273 GT, Cv 1273 Sgt, or Lp 1273 Xdt is included in this recall.
2. Contact Vac-Tron customer service at 1-888-822-8766 to schedule the free rear-impact-protection remedy kit that corrects the rear frame overhang.
3. Ask which dealer will install Vac-Tron's remedy kit, and reference recall number 20V293 when you call.
4. Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron mailed one, or give the dealer the VIN and recall number 20V293.
5. Avoid putting the trailer in service until the rear-impact-protection remedy kit is installed.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, the technician installs the remedy kit supplied by Vac-Tron to correct the rear impact protection issue on the affected vacuum excavator trailer. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are free. Vac-Tron has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall work opened. If you have prior repair paperwork, contact Vac-Tron customer service at 1-888-822-8766 and ask how to submit it under recall VVK0009.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCLYLY
• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) · RCONL
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRN
• Download Misc. Document (PDF) · RMISC
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCSB
• Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRIT
• Download Recall Report (PDF) · RCLRPT
• Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) · RCAK

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 →