NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Utility Trailer Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 Utility Trailer has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 10 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 1997 Utility Trailer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1997 Utility Trailer owner complaints
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Utility Trailer, describing incidents dated May 1, 1998 to February 10, 2005.
Most-cited components
- Service Brakes 5 complaints
- Power Train 1 complaint
- Structure 1 complaint
- Trailer Hitches 1 complaint
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
- Wheels 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10146478 · Filed
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE FRONT LEFT DUAL TIRES ON THE 1997 UTILITY BOX TRAILER CAME OFF THE WHEELS. THE WHEEL WENT THROUGH THE MEDIAN, STRUCK A GUARDRAIL FACE, JUMPED THE GUARDRAIL, JUMPED THE RIGHT AWAY FENCE AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. *NM
ODI #549392 · Filed
EXTERNAL HEATING AND A/C UNIT DAMAGED AT TIME OF INSTALLATION. MJS
ODI #544030 · Filed
AXLES FAILED. MJS
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 1997 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