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."
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT FUSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTONER 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT UTILIMASTER AT 1-800-582-3454.
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.
Consequence & remedy
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..
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.
THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING A PROPSHAFT RETAINER STRAP. IN THE EVENT OF A DRIVELINE DETACHMENT, THIS STRAP PREVENTS THE DRIVELINE FROM CONTACTING THE GROUND.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A DRIVELINE SHOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN MOTION, THE DRIVELINE CAN CONTACT THE GROUND RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF NECESSARY INSALL A PROPSHAFT RETAINER STRAP.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Utilimaster WALK-IN Van Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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