2015-2022 Vac-Tron HTV/JTV Recall 20V510: Rear Guard

Recall 20V510 affects 140 2015-2022 Vac-Tron HTV and JTV PTO vehicles with rear extensions past the impact guard. Free repair at a Vac-Tron dealer.

What's wrong?

These Vac-Tron trucks are vacuum excavation units built on a heavy-duty chassis. At the back of each truck sits a rear impact guard, the horizontal bar designed to keep a passenger car from sliding under the truck in a rear-end crash. Federal rules require that nothing on the truck extends more than 24 inches behind that guard, and that the rear and sides carry reflex reflectors so other drivers can see the outline of the truck at night.

On the 134 affected units, the rear extremity of the equipment extends more than 24 inches past the rear impact guard, and the required side and rear reflex reflectors were not installed. A car striking the back of one of these trucks can reach the equipment before it reaches the guard, and at night the truck is harder to see from behind and from the sides.

There is no warning sign before failure. The noncompliance is built into how the truck left the factory, so a visual check of the rear overhang and the reflectors is the only way to confirm it.

Who's affected?

Covers four Vac-Tron PTO trailer models (HTV 373, HTV 573, HTV 873, JTV 873) built across eight model years, all sharing the same structural concern.

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

What's the safety risk?

In a rear-end collision, another vehicle can travel under the back of the truck, raising the risk of serious injury to the people in that vehicle. The defect is structural, so there is no warning sign before a crash exposes it. Dealers install a rear underride kit that blocks intrusion. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2022 Vac-Tron vehicle is included in this recall.
2. Contact a franchised Vac-Tron dealer to schedule the free rear-impact-guard remedy kit installation that keeps a trailing vehicle from going under the truck in a crash.
3. Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V510 when you call.
4. Call Vac-Tron customer service at 1-352-728-2222 with questions, and reference Vac-Tron recall VVK0011 when you call.
5. Drive cautiously until the repair, and warn drivers behind you to keep extra following distance from the rear of the truck.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Vac-Tron technician installs a remedy kit on the rear of the vehicle to prevent another vehicle from going under the truck in a crash. The kit and installation are free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Reimbursement follows the manufacturer's standard plan on file, so if you've already paid out of pocket for a related repair, contact Vac-Tron customer service at 1-352-728-2222 and bring your receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRN
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCSB
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCLYLY
• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Misc. Document (PDF) · RMISC
• 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 →