Illustration1996 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
1996 Utility Trailer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trailer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reportsCONSUMER STATES THAT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
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
TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MUD FLAP AND ALSO CAUSING DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
BRAKES FAILED.
REAR AXLE WHEEL SEAL FAILED.
TRAILER TONGUE SNAPPED OFF TRAILER, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTRO/ACCIDENT.
Official recalls
102V210001 · Service Brakes, Air:supply:check Valve
Aug 15, 2002
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.