Item Affected: STRUCTURE
Date Announced: 07/30/2014
Description of Recall: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VS1RA, and 2013-2014 VS1DC, VS2DX, VS2RA, VS3DX, and VS3RA trailers manufactured April 2011, to May 2013. The pintle hook tube sub assembly that is welded to the pintle hook safety chain loop may break and fall off the vehicle.
Conequence: If the loop were to break off, the air lines and electrical lines would detach, applying the towed trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Action Need To Fix It: Utility will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the pintle hook safety chain loop if it is cracked, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591. Utility's number for this recall is SB 07-011/370258.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Item Affected: PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATOR
Date Announced: 02/04/2015
Description of Recall: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 FS2CHA, VS2DX, VS1DC, VS2RA, and VS1RA trailers manufactured April 14, 2014, to November 4, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of the Life Seal actuator.
Conequence: If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, and may induce brake drag and may result in overheated wheelend service brakes, increasing the risk of a fire.
Action Need To Fix It: Utility will notify owners and dealers will replace the actuators, free of charge. The recall began on April 9, 2015. Owners may contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591. Utility's number for this recall is 14E075.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Item Affected: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Date Announced: 01/20/2012
Description of Recall: UTILITY MANUFACTURING COMPANY (UTILITY) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 UTILITY VS1DC AND VS2DX DRY VANS MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2010 THROUGH AUGUST 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL LIFTGATE BATTERY BOX. THE MOUNTING PLATES USED FOR MOUNTING SINGLE OR DOUBLE BATTERY BOXES ON TRAILERS MAY BE THE INCORRECT SIZE AND SOME MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN MISORIENTED DURING INSTALLATION.
Conequence: BATTERY BOXES MOUNTED WITH THE INCORRECT SIZE OR IMPROPERLY ORIENTED MOUNTING PLATES CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Action Need To Fix It: UTILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING PLATES AND REPLACE THEM AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY AT 1-626-854-7215.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .