The defect
ON CERTAIN WALK-IN VANS, A FUSE WAS INSTALLED BY FORD. HOWEVER, UTILIMASTER INSTALLED A WIRE. THE FUSE IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE WIRE GAUGE INSTALLED BY UTILIMASTER.
The risk
SHOULD A FAILURE OCCUR IN A VEHICLE COMPONENT SUCH AS A FAN, HEATED MIRROR AND/OR OTHER IGNITION-HOT OPTION, THE INSULATION AROUND THE WIRING TO THE FAN COULD MELT.
The remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT FUSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTONER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT UTILIMASTER AT 1-800-582-3454.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 1996 | 0 | 4 |
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 1997 | 0 | 4 |
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 1998 | 0 | 3 |
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 1999 | 0 | 4 |
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 2000 | 0 | 3 |
| Utilimaster Walk-IN Van | 2001 | 0 | 4 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2003
42 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the electrical system; UTILIMASTER CORPORATION filed 27 campaigns in all.
| 03V528000 12 Dec 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V532000 12 Dec 2003 | GULF STREAM COACH, INC. |
| 03V494000 2 Dec 2003 | BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO. |
| 03V495000 2 Dec 2003 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 03V490000 1 Dec 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V489000 1 Dec 2003 | TRAILEX, LES REMORQUES DE RIMOUSKI INC |
| 03V483000 25 Nov 2003 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 03V484000 19 Nov 2003 | SUPERIOR MANUFACTURING, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003