The defect
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VS1RA, and 2013-2014 VS1DC, VS2DX, VS2RA, VS3DX, and VS3RA trailers manufactured April 2011, to May 2013. The pintle hook tube sub assembly that is welded to the pintle hook safety chain loop may break and fall off the vehicle.
The risk
If the loop were to break off, the air lines and electrical lines would detach, applying the towed trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Utility will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the pintle hook safety chain loop if it is cracked, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591. Utility's number for this recall is SB 07-011/370258.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Utility VS1DC | 2013, 2014 |
| Utility VS1RA | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Utility VS2DX | 2013 |
| Utility VS2RA | 2013, 2014 |
| Utility VS3DX | 2013, 2014 |
| Utility VS3RA | 2013, 2014 |
| Utility Trailer VS2DX | 2014 |
Components: STRUCTURE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility VS1DC | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS1DC | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
| Utility VS1RA | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS1RA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS1RA | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
| Utility VS2DX | 2013 | 0 | 2 |
| Utility VS2RA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS2RA | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
| Utility VS3DX | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS3DX | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS3RA | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility VS3RA | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| Utility Trailer VS2DX | 2014 | 0 | 3 |
Other structure recalls in 2014
27 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the structure; Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company filed 9 campaigns in all.
| 14V822000 29 Dec 2014 | Kia Motors America |
| 14V785000 10 Dec 2014 | Tishomingo Acquisition, LLC |
| 14V777000 5 Dec 2014 | Ford Motor Company |
| 14V765000 2 Dec 2014 | Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD |
| 14V677000 28 Oct 2014 | Morgan Olson Corporation |
| 14V646000 14 Oct 2014 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company |
| 14V559000 12 Sept 2014 | Lion Bus Inc. |
| 14V523000 3 Sept 2014 | Collins Bus Corporation |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2014