2001 Utilimaster WALK-IN VAN recalls

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

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.

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: WALK-IN DELIVERY VANS SUPPLIED TO FED EX (FED EX W700). A BOLT AND NUT INSTALLED THROUGH THE CHASSIS FRAME RAIL TO SUPPORT A NEW SEAT MOUNT DESIGN COULD HAVE PARTIALLY COLLAPSE A BRAKE LINE AS THE NUT WAS TIGHTENED ON THE BOLT.

Consequence

IF UNDETECTED, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE PARTIAL OR TOTAL LOSS OF FUNCTION OF THE FRONT BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

FED EX WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSPECTING FOR THE DEFECT AND HOW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE IF THE PROBLEM EXISTS. FED EX WAS NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON MAY 25, 2001. ONLY FED EX VEHICLES ARE INVOLVED.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: WALK-IN DELIVERY VANS SUPPLIED TO THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. UNDER CERTAIN SNOW CONDITIONS, IF MOISTURE GETS INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY REFREEZES, THE BLOWER MOTOR COULD SEIZE CAUSING A RESISTOR TO OVERHEAT.

Consequence

WHEN A RESISTOR OVERHEATS, THE PLENUM COULD MELT, RESULTING IN DEFORMATION AND POSSIBLE IGNITION.

Remedy

UTILIMASTER WILL INSTALL FUSES BETWEEN THE RESISTORS AND THE POWER SUPPLY, WHICH WILL PROTECT THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IN THE EVENT OF AN OVERCURRENT SITUATION. AN EXISTING FUSE WILL BE RESIZED TO PROTECT THE WIRING HARNESS IN HIGH-SPEED FAN OPERATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2001. ONLY US POSTAL SERVICE VEHICLES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.