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Manufacturer recall number

Mcelrath Trailers recall 21434

Mcelrath Trailers calls it 21434. NHTSA filed it as campaign 23V008000 on Jan 13, 2023: exterior lighting on the 2013–2023 Mcelrath Trailers VX75 Xcel, 31 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings
NHTSA campaignVehiclesComponentFiledAffectedSeverity
23V0080002013–2023 Mcelrath Trailers VX75 XcelExterior LightingJan 13, 202331high
Problem Gratimax, LLC (Gratimax) is recalling certain 2013-2023 McElrath Trailers VX75 Xcel vacuum excavator trailers. The design of the rear impact guard resulted in the incorrect placement of the taillights. In addition, the guard may fail to prevent a vehicle from traveling under the trailer during a rear impact crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 224, "Rear Impact Protection." Risk 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. Fix Dealers will reposition the taillights and modify the rear impact guard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2023. Owners may contact Gratimax customer service at 1-864-814-2220. Gratimax's number for this recall is 21434.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 23V008000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. 21434 is the number Mcelrath Trailers assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 23V008000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is 21434 the same recall as 23V008000?

Yes. 21434 is Mcelrath Trailers’s own number for it; 23V008000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does 21434 cover?

2013–2023 Mcelrath Trailers VX75 Xcel, 31 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the 21434 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.