NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Utilimaster Walk-In Van Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Utilimaster Walk-In Van has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1997 Utilimaster Walk-In Van. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Utilimaster dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Utilimaster Walk-In Van. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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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/FUSE

NHTSA #03V275000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice

Reported July 29, 2003 · UTILIMASTER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 4,001 vehicles

Owners notified October 1, 2003

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT FUSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTONER 1, 2003. OWNERS 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).

UTILIMASTER/FMVSS 108/CLEARANCE LAMP

NHTSA #01V224000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 3, 2001 · UTILIMASTER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 2,730 vehicles

Owners notified July 30, 2001 · Vehicles built September 30, 1997 – October 6, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: WALK-IN VAN TRUCKS SUPPLIED TO FLEET ACCOUNTS. THE LED CLEARANCE LAMPS, MOUNTED AT A 30-DEGREE SET-BACK POSITION, DO NOT COMPLY WITH TWO OF THE REQUIRED TEST POINTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety consequence

THE CLEARANCE LAMPS DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REMEDY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND WILL BE REIMBURSED BY UTILIMASTER FOR PARTS AND LABOR COSTS INVOLVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT UTILIMASTER AT 1-816-765-2000.

Notes

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

UTILIMASTER/HOOD

NHTSA #97V027000 · Structure — Body — Hood · NHTSA notice

Reported February 22, 1997 · UTILIMASTER CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 3,132 vehicles

Owners notified June 18, 1997 · Vehicles built January 22, 1996 – November 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE FORCE OF THE WIND AGAINST THE HOOD CAN FORCE THE HOOD BEHIND THE BUMPER ALLOWING THE HOOD TO DROP. THIS REDUCES THE TENSION ON THE TWO RUBBER HOLD-DOWNS WHICH THEN BECOME LOOSE.

Safety consequence

IF BOTH TIE DOWNS COME LOOSE, THE HOOD CAN SEPARATE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION LEADING TO A POSSIBLE BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND/OR BLOCKING OF THE DRIVER'S VISION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH..

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A METAL BRACKET AND A SECOND BUMPER ABOVE AND BEHIND THE ORIGINAL BUMPER SO THAT THE HOOD CANNOT BE PUSHED OR SLIP BEHIND THE ORIGINAL (BOTTOM) BUMPER.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 1997. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Utilimaster Walk-In Van. 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 Walk-In Van.

Other Utilimaster Walk-In Van model years

Check your 1997 Utilimaster Walk-In Van VIN

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