2015-2020 Vac-Tron LP Recall 20V744: Rear Guard

Recall 20V744 affects 38 2015-2020 Vac-Tron excavator trailers missing rear impact guards. Repair is free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer.

What's wrong?

The rear impact guard is the structure at the back of a trailer that helps keep the rear of the trailer from overriding a passenger vehicle in a rear crash. On 2015-2020 Vac-Tron Lp 873 Xdt, Lpsgt, Lp 873 Sgt, and Lpxdt excavator trailers, that guard should be part of the rear structure, along with the lower chassis extension that supports it.

These trailers left production without the extended lower chassis, so the rear guard was not installed. That means the rear of the trailer does not have the required rear impact protection built into the design. Vac-Tron identified 37 excavator trailers with this noncompliant design after reviewing manufacturing documents and drawings.

There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is not a worn part or a loose bumper that an owner would hear or feel during use. The trailer was built without the rear protection structure, so the problem exists whenever the affected trailer is on the road.

Who's affected?

Spans four Vac-Tron LP-series models across the 2015-2020 model years, with body-structure and bumper-related components listed in the scope.

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?

A rear impact creates an underride hazard: the striking vehicle can move under the rear of the vacuum excavator, increasing injury or death risk. Keep the rear lighting and markings visible, avoid roadside exposure when practical, and schedule the recall work. Repair will be free at any franchised Vac-Tron dealer once available.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2020 Vac-Tron Lp 873 Xdt, Lpsgt, Lp 873 Sgt, or Lpxdt trailer is included in this recall.
2. Wait for Vac-Tron instructions before taking the trailer in for service.
3. Call Vac-Tron customer service at 1-877-342-5374 with questions and reference recall number 20V744 when you call.
4. Ask about the free field remedy kit that adds the missing rear impact guard protection.
5. Bring the recall notice if Vac-Tron mailed one, along with any trailer ownership or fleet records the service location requests.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Vac-Tron technician installs the field remedy kit supplied through authorized Vermeer dealers. The kit includes the parts and instructions needed to correct the missing rear impact guard noncompliance. Vac-Tron says the recall began January 22, 2021. The dealer repair is free once the kit is available for your trailer, with parts and labor handled through the recall process.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCLYLY
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRN
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCSB
• Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) · RCONL
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RONE
• 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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →