Recall 21V721 covers 50 2005-2021 Vermeer Vacuum Excavator vehicles with insufficient rear lamps and reflectors. Repair is free at any franchised Vermeer dealer.
Vermeer is recalling 50 2005-2021 Vacuum Excavator vehicles because the rear clearance lamps and reflex reflectors are not sufficient under federal lighting requirements. Without the proper rear lighting and reflective equipment, these excavators are harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk, and Vermeer dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The red rear clearance lamps and reflex reflectors on these 2005-2021 Vermeer Vacuum Excavator trailers mark the trailer's width and rear edge for other drivers. Clearance lamps use light, while reflex reflectors bounce another vehicle's headlights back at the driver. Together, they help make the rear and rear sides of the trailer visible in low light or poor visibility.
On affected units, Vermeer did not install enough of this lighting and marking during manufacturing. The issue is not a broken bulb or a wiring failure. The trailer left production without sufficient red rear clearance lamps, red rear-side clearance lamps, red rear reflex reflectors, or red rear-side reflex reflectors in the required locations. That means other road users have less visual information about the trailer's outline.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or smell anything different because the problem is missing or insufficient exterior lighting hardware, not a part that wears out during use.
Who's affected?
Spans the Vacuum Excavator line across the 2005-2021 model years, with Vermeer and Mclaughlin badges using the same exterior lighting components.
| 2021 Vermeer Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2007 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2005 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2008 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2006 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2021 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 50 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and Vacuum Excavator model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Missing reflective equipment makes the vacuum excavator harder for other drivers to see while it is on or near a road. That reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash. Use extra caution around traffic until the kit is installed. Repair is free at any franchised Vermeer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2021 Vermeer Vacuum Excavator is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Vermeer dealer to schedule the free field remedy kit that adds the rear and rear-side reflective equipment needed for visibility.
- Bring the recall notice if Vermeer mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V721 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete because the excavator is harder for other drivers to see without the proper reflective equipment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Vermeer technician installs the field remedy kit for the rear clearance lamps, rear reflex reflectors, rear-side clearance lamps, and rear-side reflex reflectors. Parts and labor are covered under recall 21V721, and the repair is free. Owner letters were mailed on November 11, 2021. Vermeer used its general reimbursement plan on file, so owners who already paid for a related lamp or reflector repair before the recall notice can contact Vermeer customer service at 1-800-829-0051 ext. 7060 about documented expenses.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 16, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 28, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 28, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 11, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 11, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V721?
Recall 21V721 covers 50 2005-2021 Vermeer Vacuum Excavator units with rear clearance lamps, rear-side clearance lamps, and reflex reflectors that do not meet federal lighting requirements. Without the proper reflective equipment, the excavators are harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk. Vermeer dealers install a field remedy kit for free.
What should I do if my 2005-2021 Vermeer Vacuum Excavator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vacuum excavator is included in recall 21V721. If it is, contact a franchised Vermeer dealer to schedule the field remedy kit installation. Reference recall number 21V721 and Vermeer recall number VMV0013 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Vermeer dealers install the field remedy kit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Vermeer dealer.
Is it safe to drive a vacuum excavator with recall 21V721 open?
Recall 21V721 does not carry a do-not-drive order. The safety risk is visibility: missing or insufficient rear and rear-side lamps and reflectors make the vacuum excavator harder for other drivers to see, increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair.
When were owners notified about recall 21V721?
Vermeer mailed owner notification letters on November 11, 2021. If you bought the vacuum excavator used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether recall 21V721 applies, then contact a Vermeer dealer for the free field remedy kit installation.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V721000 |
|---|---|
| Vermeer customer service | 1-800-829-0051 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V721 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V721000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →