Model year record

1998 UTILITY Trailer

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 13 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V120004

Wheels: rim

Component
Wheels: rim
Manufacturer
UTILITY TRAILER MFG. CO.
Vehicles affected
28
Reported to NHTSA
1998-07-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DUAL AXLE, SEMI-VAN AND FLATBED, TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH AFTERMARKET ALUMINUM DUAL WHEELS, 22.5X8.25, ONE-PIECE, TUBELESS, SUPPLIED BY ACCURIDE/AKW. CERTAIN DESIGN REVISIONS COMBINED WITH PROCESS CONDITIONS CAUSED FATIGUE CRACKS IN THESE WHEELS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THESE WHEELS.

Manufacturer remedy

ACCURIDE/AKW WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater2
Tires2
Tires: tread/belt2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Structure1
Suspension1
Unknown or other1

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of 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.