By year
Owner complaints about Utility vehicles peaked at 35 in 1998
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 1997 to 2026. 2026 runs through October.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints and recalls files. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Make
Utility
The complete NHTSA record for Utility vehicles: owner complaints, recall campaigns, defect investigations and manufacturer communications, for every model and model year on file.
Most Utility recalls are filed by Utility Trailer Manufacturing, part of Utility.
Owner complaints in the last five years1109 on file in all, across 51 models
Recall campaigns290 in five years
Severity index10.1Crash, fire, injury or death per 100 complaints
Investigations156 service bulletins
Components
Brakes draws the most owner complaints about Utility vehicles, 22% of them
Share of all owner complaints on file, by component.
Source: NHTSA ODI.
Models
The Trailer has the most complaints of any Utility model
Every Utility model with complaints or recalls on file, by complaints. Counts are not rates: NHTSA publishes no sales volumes.
| Model | Model years | Complaints | Severity index | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailer | 1991 to 2013 | 78 | 10.3 | 14 | 0 |
| Utility | 1984 to 1991 | 16 | 6.3 | 1 | 0 |
| VS2RA | 2000 to 2019 | 6 | 0.0 | 21 | 0 |
| VS1DC | 2001 to 2019 | 1 | 0.0 | 8 | 0 |
| Flatbed Trailers | 2014 to 2017 | 1 | 0.0 | 6 | 0 |
| FF2C | 1995 to 2001 | 1 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3000R | 2009 to 2013 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 |
| 4000D-X Composite | 2012 to 2020 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Refrigerated VAN | 2023 | 1 | 100.0 | 0 | 0 |
| TRLU-6414LEO-252 | 2013 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| VS2R | 1995 to 2003 | 0 | None | 11 | 0 |
| VS1RA | 2000 to 2019 | 0 | None | 10 | 0 |
| TS2CHA | 2000 to 2003 | 0 | None | 7 | 0 |
| VS1R | 1995 to 2003 | 0 | None | 7 | 0 |
| VS2DC | 1995 to 2003 | 0 | None | 7 | 0 |
| VS3DC | 2000 to 2003 | 0 | None | 6 | 0 |
| FS2CHA | 2001 to 2015 | 0 | None | 5 | 0 |
| VS3RA | 2001 to 2015 | 0 | None | 5 | 0 |
| VS4RA | 2000 to 2003 | 0 | None | 4 | 0 |
| DRY VAN Trailers | 2014 to 2016 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| FS2CHAE | 1994 to 1995 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| FS2CHE | 1994 to 1995 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| FS2CHS | 2001 to 2002 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| Refrigerated Trailers | 2014 to 2016 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| TS2CHE | 1994 to 1996 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| VS2RX | 1995 to 2002 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| FF2CHS | 2001 to 2002 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| FS1C | 1995 to 2001 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| FS2CDHE | 1994 to 1995 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| FS3CHAE | 1994 to 1995 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| Tautliner | 1994 to 1995 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| TS1CHE | 1994 to 1995 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS1RS | 2001 to 2002 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS2D | 1995 to 2000 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS2DG | 2001 to 2002 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS2DX | 2013 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS2M | 1995 to 2002 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS2RS | 1995 to 2002 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS3DX | 2013 to 2014 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| VS3RX | 2001 to 2002 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| FFW3 | 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| FS1W | 1995 to 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| FS2 | 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| FS2CDHA | 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| FS2W | 1995 to 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| FS3CDHE | 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Trailers | 1990 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| TS1CDHE | 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| TS1W | 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Utility Trailer | 2022 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| VS3R | 1995 to 2001 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI. Recall counts add campaigns across model years, so a campaign covering three years counts three times.
Latest recalls
Recent campaigns listing a Utility product
- 21V-676 Aug 31, 2021
Incorrect tape was installed on the top foil, which could result in the sealer plate separating from the roof
Structure · 260 vehicles - 17V-483 Aug 1, 2017
Weld that secures the mud flap bracket to the suspension beam may allow the mud flap bracket to detach
Suspension · 35 vehicles - 16V-674 Sep 19, 2016
In the affected trailers, the rear aerodynamic device (RAD) may separate from the rear of the tarping system, due to rivet failure
Equipment · 66 vehicles - 16V-503 Jul 5, 2016
These valves may have been improperly machined which may cause a delay of application of the spring brakes while parking
Brakes · 98k vehicles - 15V-774 Nov 19, 2015
Affected axle assemblies have caliper bolts that may not have been properly tightened, allowing the caliper mounting bolts to back out and the…
Brakes · 10 vehicles - 15V-063 Feb 4, 2015
Affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of…
Brakes · 3,111 vehicles - 14V-463 Jul 30, 2014
Pintle hook tube sub assembly that is welded to the pintle hook safety chain loop may break and fall off the vehicle
Structure · 2,098 vehicles - 14V-221 Apr 24, 2014
Affected trailers may have over-tightened axle nuts which may result in axle bearing failure
Suspension · 507 vehicles - 12V-298 Jun 26, 2012
Brake system check valve was installed incorrectly, causing a delay in brake application
Brakes · 16 vehicles - 12V-020 Jan 20, 2012
Mounting plates used for mounting single or double battery boxes on trailers may be the incorrect size and some may also have been misoriented…
Latches and locks · 95 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.