RoadVitals

1996 Utility Trailer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Sep 30, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Aug 15, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Utility Trailer, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, brakes and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels457.1%
  • Brakes228.6%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V210001

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

Aug 15, 2002
206 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
UTILITY TRAILER MFG. CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Sep 30, 2008
Fire reported

1996 UTILITY TRAILER. THE TRAILER'S RIGHT REAR AXLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF A HOT BRAKE. DRIVER STOPPED AT SERVICE PLAZA TO PUT OUT FIRE. *NJ OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 10-0578-90. *JB

NHTSA ID
10244811
Incident
Aug 18, 2008
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA ID
8019761
Incident
Sep 25, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed May 10, 2001

WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, IT RIPPED A 4 INCH STRIP OFF THE MUD FLAP, KNOCKED OUT THE RIGHT REAR TAILIGHT AND PIGTAIL WIRING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

NHTSA ID
561143
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 19, 2001

TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MUD FLAP AND ALSO CAUSING DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

NHTSA ID
560381
Incident
Jan 14, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 1998

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
542889
Incident
Jul 20, 1998
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 26, 1998

REAR AXLE WHEEL SEAL FAILED.

NHTSA ID
542875
Incident
May 2, 1998
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 20, 1997

TRAILER TONGUE SNAPPED OFF TRAILER, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTRO/ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
520754
Incident
Jul 13, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SB-07-009

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

Utility re-issued the rear impact guard (bumber) requirements when requesting a replacement bumper and / or DOT decal.

SB-10-005

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Utility released a bulletin outlining reefer and dry van rub rail parts required and installation instructions.

SB-01-003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Bulletin was originally released on March 30, 2009. Utility re-released on August 18, 2017 to reflect the addition of the UTM Plant in Mexico.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Utility Trailer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013100—
2012100—
2003100—
2002000—
2001220—
2000420—
1999510—
1998122050.3
1997101032.8
1996Viewing710—
1995121039.8
1994910—
1993610—
1992610—
1991210—
1979000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.