RoadVitals

2015 Utility VS1RA

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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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.
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Latest Feb 4, 2015
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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Utility VS1RA. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns 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
15V063000

PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATOR

Feb 4, 2015
3,111 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: 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.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing CompanyManufacturer number 14E075View on NHTSA.gov
14V221000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Apr 24, 2014
507 units potentially affected
The defect: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility) is recalling certain model year 2015 VS1RA, VS2RA, and VS3RA refrigerated vans manufactured January 6, 2014, through March 14, 2014. The affected trailers may have over-tightened axle nuts which may result in axle bearing failure.
The risk: Bearing failure may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Utility has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bearings, correct the axle nut tightening and verify the proper amount of wheel-end play, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591.
Utility Trailer Manufacturing CompanyManufacturer number SB-08-169View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

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

SB-14-015

EQUIPMENT

Service bulletin instructing to use a sharp razor blade to add a 1" wide slit to the reefer floor drain kazoo whenever replacing them in the field. This is to help the pressure inside the trailer equalize with the pressure outside the trailer when the temperature within a Utility reefer changes.

SB-07-014A

TRAILER HITCHES

This Service Bulletin addresses structural preparation required before retrofitting a Pintle Hook assembly to any RA Reefer Model Utility Trailer.

SB-08-176C

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Revision to SB-08-176 (original release 01/23/2015) regarding the Enhanced Bendix Chamber Warranty Policy for Utility. The revision includes a change to the Bendix Utility DDSB Warranty Shipping Request Form.

SB-07-013

EQUIPMENT

Utility Trailer Sales Department released a Sales Bulletin regarding dock bumpers and the potential dock lock compatibility. Any dock bumper equal to or greater than 1" proud of the buckplate light protector bar may reduce trailer dock lock compatibility. Trailers scheduled for production on or after 04/19/2019 will be built with 1/2" proud rubber dock bumpers.

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.

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 VS1RA by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000—
2015Viewing020—
2014020—
2013010—
2012010—
2003010—
2002010—
2001010—
2000010—

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.