Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 UTILITY Trailer

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 24 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V210001

Service brakes, air: supply: check valve

Component
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
Manufacturer
UTILITY TRAILER MFG. CO.
Vehicles affected
206
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLIES, THERE IS A RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF THE VALVE IN WHICH A BRASS GUIDE PIN FITS DOWN INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VALVE AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A STEEL SNAP RING. THE RECESSED AREA ALLOWS ACCUMULATION OF WATER, DIRT, AND/OR CHEMICALS TO BUILD UP BEHIND THE SNAP RING TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NO LONGER CONTAIN THE GUIDE PIN RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR VALVE.

Safety risk

FAILURE OF THE VALVE IN AN EMPTY OR LIGHTLY LOADED TRAILER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULT IN A HARD APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES, POSSIBLY LOCKING UP THE TRAILER WHEELS AND RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SEALCO WILL PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SEALCO AT 602-253-1007 OR UTILITY AT 626-965-1541.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Electrical system3—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer2—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: rear1—
Trailer hitches1—
Unknown or other1—
Wheels1—

The 1996 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.