2018 Mclaughlin Vacuum Excavator problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2021-11-22 · campaign 21V916000 · 1,054 vehicles
Defect: Vermeer Manufacturing Company (Vermeer) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Vermeer VX30, McLaughlin VX30, 2018-2022 McLaughlin VX50, Vermeer VX50, and 2018-2019 Mclaughlin VX30G vacuum excavators with an 800-gallon tank configuration. The operator and maintenance manuals state an incorrect lug nut tightness value that could result in improperly tightened lug nuts.
Risk: Improperly tightened lug nuts may come loose, causing the wheel to fall off and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will provide replacement operator and maintenance manuals, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2022. Owners may contact Vermeer customer service at 1-800-829-0051 ext. 7060. Vermeer's number for this recall is VMV0015.
Exterior Lighting 2021-09-16 · campaign 21V721000 · 50 vehicles
Defect: Vermeer Manufacturing Company (Vermeer) is recalling certain 2005-2021 McLaughlin and 2021 Vermeer vacuum excavators. Please see the 573 report for all affected models. The rear clearance lamps and reflex reflectors, and the rear-side clearance lamps and reflex reflectors are not sufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Without the proper reflective equipment, the vacuum excavators may not be visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a field remedy kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 11, 2021. Owners may contact Vermeer's customer service at 1-800-829-0051 ext. 7060. Vermeer's number for this recall is VMV0013.
Service bulletins (6)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-10 · VMV000108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
field campaign kit #: vmv000108 rev. 1 the kit instructions are being revised to provide additional instructions for units that may require longer pins for completion of the kit.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-10 · SMV2026-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
field campaign service bulletin #: smv2026-001 rev. 1 the service bulletin is being revised to provide reimbursement instructions for units that require longer pins.
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-04 · SMV2026-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
field campaign service bulletin #: smv2026-001 boom cylinder pins and retaining clips replacement kit
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-04 · VMV0108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
field campaign kit #: vmv000108 boom raise cylinder pins and retaining clips update kit instructions
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-09 · SMV2024-011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
boom raise cylinder pins and retaining clips update kit
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-09 · VMV0085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
boom raise cylinder pins and retaining clips update kit
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.