Recall 26V497 affects 1,129 2025-2026 Wanco Compact Light Towers for a diesel fuel tank that can crack and leak. Tank replacement is free.
Wanco is recalling 1,129 2025-2026 Compact Light Towers under recall 26V497 because the diesel fuel tank can crack and leak fuel. Leaking diesel near an ignition source raises the risk of a fire, and the dealer repair will be free once Wanco opens the remedy.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank on the 2025-2026 Wanco Compact Light Tower is the reservoir that holds diesel for the engine driving the tower's lights. It sits on the trailer and feeds fuel through a supply line whenever the unit runs. The tank has one job: hold diesel securely, through heat and vibration, without letting any of it out.
Some of these tanks were built with the wrong material. Wanco identified the affected units from purchase order receipts and production records, and current production tanks and replacement tanks are confirmed to use the specified material. A tank made from the wrong material cracks, and once it cracks, diesel escapes onto the trailer near a running engine. Wanco has recorded no fires and no injuries so far.
The warning sign is your nose. Diesel odor around the trailer, or fuel residue visible on the outside of the tank, means the tank has started to leak.
Who's affected?
Both the 2025 and 2026 Compact Light Tower share the same fuel tank part, built between December 2025 and July 2026.
| 2026 Wanco Compact Light Tower | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2025 Wanco Compact Light Tower | fuel system |
| Units affected | 1,129 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific unit.
What's the safety risk?
A fuel leak near an ignition source raises the risk of a fire. The warning owners get is the smell of diesel or wet fuel residue on the tank, so inspect the tank area before each use and stop using the light tower if you smell fuel or see it pooling. Schedule the repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Wanco dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Wanco Compact Light Tower is included in this recall.
- Call Wanco customer service at 1-800-972-0755 to ask when the free fuel-tank replacement can be scheduled at your location, and reference recall number 26V497 when you call.
- Watch for the owner notification letter Wanco expects to mail August 10, 2026, then book the fuel-tank replacement that fixes the cracking, leaking diesel tank.
- Inspect under the tank for pooled diesel or a strong fuel odor before each use, and take the unit out of service if you find either one.
- Keep the light tower away from open flames, sparks, and other ignition sources until the new tank is installed, since leaking diesel near an ignition source raises the fire risk.
What happens at the repair
The fix is a fuel tank replacement. Wanco or a servicing dealer removes the cracked diesel tank from the Compact Light Tower and installs a new one. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Wanco has not posted a repair start date for this campaign, so the free replacement will be scheduled once Wanco confirms parts and instructions are in place. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 10, 2026. Contact Wanco customer service at 1-800-972-0755 to get your unit on the list and to ask how to handle a leaking tank until the replacement is done.
Timeline
| July 30, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 3, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| August 3, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 31, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V497?
Recall 26V497 covers 1,129 2025-2026 Wanco Compact Light Towers built with part number WLTT, where the diesel fuel tank can crack and leak fuel. Leaking diesel near an ignition source raises the risk of a fire. Wanco or its dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Wanco Compact Light Tower is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific unit is included in recall 26V497. If it is, contact Wanco customer service at 1-800-972-0755 or your dealer to schedule the fuel tank replacement. Reference recall number 26V497 when you call. The tank replacement is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct a safety defect at no cost to the owner. Wanco or its dealers will replace the cracked diesel fuel tank free of charge, parts and labor included, regardless of where the light tower was purchased.
What is the safety risk with the Wanco Compact Light Tower fuel tank?
The diesel fuel tank can crack and leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Watch for the smell of diesel or wet spots under the unit, and keep the light tower away from open flame, sparks, and hot work until the tank is replaced.
When will Wanco notify owners about recall 26V497?
Wanco expects to mail owner notification letters on August 10, 2026. Letters follow the registered owner on record, so a used purchase or a change of address can leave you out of the mailing. Check your VIN and call Wanco customer service at 1-800-972-0755 to confirm coverage.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V497000 |
|---|---|
| Wanco customer service | 1-800-972-0755 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V497 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V497000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on August 5, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →