try.vin
Log in

NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Utility Trailer Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Utility Trailer has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Utility dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Utility Trailer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1996 Utility Trailer owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Utility Trailer, describing incidents dated July 13, 1997 to August 18, 2008.

Most-cited components

  • Tires 3 complaints
  • Service Brakes 2 complaints
  • Trailer Hitches 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Of the 7 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10244811 · Filed

    1996 UTILITY TRAILER. THE TRAILER'S RIGHT REAR AXLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF A HOT BRAKE. DRIVER STOPPED AT SERVICE PLAZA TO PUT OUT FIRE. *NJ OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 10-0578-90. *JB

  • ODI #8019761 · Filed

    CONSUMER STATES THAT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

  • ODI #561143 · Filed

    WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, IT RIPPED A 4 INCH STRIP OFF THE MUD FLAP, KNOCKED OUT THE RIGHT REAR TAILIGHT AND PIGTAIL WIRING (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

Read all 7 complaints

UTILITY/SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVE

NHTSA #02V210001 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Check Valve · NHTSA notice

Reported August 15, 2002 · UTILITY TRAILER MFG. CO.

Potentially affected: 206 vehicles

Vehicles built November 16, 1995 – January 28, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLIES, THERE IS A RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF THE VALVE IN WHICH A BRASS GUIDE PIN FITS DOWN INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VALVE AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A STEEL SNAP RING. THE RECESSED AREA ALLOWS ACCUMULATION OF WATER, DIRT, AND/OR CHEMICALS TO BUILD UP BEHIND THE SNAP RING TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NO LONGER CONTAIN THE GUIDE PIN RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR VALVE.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THE VALVE IN AN EMPTY OR LIGHTLY LOADED TRAILER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULT IN A HARD APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES, POSSIBLY LOCKING UP THE TRAILER WHEELS AND RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SEALCO WILL PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. 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 SEALCO AT 602-253-1007 OR UTILITY AT 626-965-1541.

Notes

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

Other Utility Trailer model years

Check your 1996 Utility Trailer VIN

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

Check a Utility VIN