Latches/locks/linkages (Utility Trailer and Utility)
Vehicle recall 12V-020. NHTSA received UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY’s report on Jan 20, 2012.
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The short answer
NHTSA received UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY’s report on Jan 20, 2012. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
BATTERY BOXES MOUNTED WITH THE INCORRECT SIZE OR IMPROPERLY ORIENTED MOUNTING PLATES CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
UTILITY MANUFACTURING COMPANY (UTILITY) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 UTILITY VS1DC AND VS2DX DRY VANS MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2010 THROUGH AUGUST 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL LIFTGATE BATTERY BOX.
THE MOUNTING PLATES USED FOR MOUNTING SINGLE OR DOUBLE BATTERY BOXES ON TRAILERS MAY BE THE INCORRECT SIZE AND SOME MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN MISORIENTED DURING INSTALLATION.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Latches/locks/linkages.
What should you do?
UTILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOUNTING PLATES AND REPLACE THEM AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY AT 1-626-854-7215.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 95 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Utility Trailer VS2DXand 2011 and 2012, before the model years listed here
- Utility VS1DCand 2011 and 2012, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.