McElrath Trailers Recall VX75 Xcel Models for Taillight and Impact Guard Defects
Gratimax is recalling 2013-2023 McElrath VX75 Xcel trailers because taillights are misplaced and the rear impact guard may fail, increasing crash and injury risks.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (rear impact guard failure) that increases the risk of injury during a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Gratimax, LLC is recalling certain 2013-2023 McElrath Trailers VX75 Xcel vacuum excavator trailers. The recall addresses a design defect in the rear impact guard that resulted in the incorrect placement of the taillights. Additionally, the guard may fail to prevent a vehicle from traveling under the trailer during a rear impact crash. These vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108 and 224.
The incorrect placement of the taillights may reduce the visibility of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash. During a crash, a vehicle that travels under the rear of the trailer increases the risk of injury.
Dealers will reposition the taillights and modify the rear impact guard free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2023. Owners may contact Gratimax customer service at 1-864-814-2220 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- MCELRATH TRAILERS VX75 XCEL
- Brand
- MCELRATH TRAILERS
- Manufacturer
- Gratimax, LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — Trailer
- Affected units
- 31
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- VX75 XCEL
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · MCELRATH TRAILERS
- SevereMcElrath Trailers Recalls 2016-2020 Models Due to Frame Weld Cracks
NHTSA · 2020-01-31
- HighMcElrath Trailers Recalls 2014-2019 VX Models for Missing Reflectors
NHTSA · 2019-11-05
- SevereMcElrath Trailers Recalling 2013-2018 Models Due to Weld Failure Risk
NHTSA · 2018-03-19
- Severe
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