NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Utilimaster dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Missing Seat Belt Retractor/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #18V377000 · Seat Belts — Front — Retractor · NHTSA notice

Reported June 6, 2018 · Spartan Motors USA

Potentially affected: 3,194 vehicles

Repair completion: 16.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18019 · Owners notified August 6, 2018 · Vehicles built September 1, 1990 – May 15, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 1991-2018 Utilimaster Aeromaster and Walk-In Vans. These vehicles were manufactured with front seat belts that do not have an emergency locking seat belt retractor or automatic locking seat belt retractor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

Without retractors, the seat belts may not accommodate different size occupants, therefore the occupants may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Spartan will notify owners and will install seat belts with retractors, free of charge. The recall began on August 6, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 18019.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

UTILIMASTER/SEAT BELT BUCKLES

NHTSA #02V064000 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 1, 2002 · UTILIMASTER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 11,418 vehicles

Owners notified April 8, 2002 · Vehicles built May 7, 1996 – January 7, 2000 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN WALK-IN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLES MANUFACTURED BY INDIANA MILLS & MANUFACTURING INC., AFTER REPEATED FLEXING, THE CABLE CAN FATIGUE AND FRAY AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS CRIMPED TO THE BUCKLE.

Safety consequence

THE BUCKLE COULD DETACH FROM THE CABLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 8, 2002. 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 UTILIMASTER AT 1-800-582-3454.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster.

Other Utilimaster Aeromaster model years

Check your 1997 Utilimaster Aeromaster VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Utilimaster Aeromaster at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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