Recall 12V020 affects 95 2011-2012 Utility Trailer VS2DX and VS1DC dry vans for battery-box mounting plates. Repair is free at any franchised Utility Trailer dealer.
Utility Trailer is recalling 95 2011-2012 VS2DX and VS1DC dry van trailers equipped with optional liftgate battery boxes because the battery box mounting plates were the wrong size or installed in the wrong orientation. A battery box can detach from the trailer and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The optional liftgate battery box on 2011-2012 Utility Trailer VS2DX and VS1DC dry vans holds the batteries that power the trailer liftgate. The box is mounted to the trailer with metal plates. Those plates are supposed to support the battery box and keep it fixed in the correct position during normal trailer use.
On affected trailers, the mounting plates used for single or double battery boxes were the wrong size or were installed in the wrong orientation. That means the battery box is not supported the way Utility Trailer designed it to be supported. The problem is with the mounting hardware, not with the liftgate batteries themselves.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not count on noise, looseness, or a visible shift in the box to appear before the mounting problem becomes unsafe.
Who's affected?
Covers the VS2DX and VS1DC across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the same latch, lock, and linkage component.
| 2011 Utility Trailer VS2DX | Latches/locks/linkages |
|---|---|
| 2012 Utility Trailer VS2DX | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2011 Utility VS1DC | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2012 Utility VS1DC | Latches/locks/linkages |
| Units affected | 95 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrect battery box mounting plates can let the battery box detach from the trailer, increasing crash risk for the driver and nearby traffic. Schedule the dealer inspection soon, and avoid hauling with any visibly loose battery box until it is checked. Repair will be free at any franchised Utility Trailer dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Utility Trailer VS2DX or VS1DC is included in this recall.
- Confirm the owner notice status with Utility Trailer before scheduling dealer work.
- Contact a franchised Utility Trailer dealer to ask about the free battery-box mounting-plate inspection and replacement.
- Reference recall number 12V020 when you call, and bring the recall notice if you have it.
- Inspect the liftgate battery box area before each trip until the repair is complete, and stop using the trailer if the battery box is loose.
What happens at the repair
Utility Trailer's remedy calls for dealer inspection of the liftgate battery box mounting plates. Once the campaign repair is available at the dealer, a Utility Trailer technician inspects the mounting plates and replaces any incorrect or misoriented plates, free under the recall. The work focuses on the battery box mounting hardware, not the liftgate itself. Owner notification has already begun, and the dealer repair path is inspection first, then replacement only where the mounting plates need it.
Timeline
| Owner notification mailed | |
| NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V020?
Recall 12V020 covers 95 2011-2012 Utility Trailer VS2DX and VS1DC dry vans with optional liftgate battery boxes. The battery-box mounting plates are the wrong size or installed in the wrong orientation, which can let the box detach from the trailer and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Utility Trailer VS2DX or VS1DC is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V020. If it is, contact a Utility Trailer dealer and ask for the battery-box mounting plates to be inspected and replaced as needed. Reference recall 12V020 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Utility Trailer dealers will inspect the battery-box mounting plates and replace them as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the liftgate battery box can detach from the trailer. A loose or separated battery box creates a road hazard and increases crash risk. Recall 12V020 covers inspection and replacement of the mounting plates to correct that defect.
What if I bought this Utility Trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your VS2DX or VS1DC is included, then contact a Utility Trailer dealer and reference recall 12V020.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V020000 |
|---|---|
| Utility Trailer customer service | 1-626-854-7215 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V020 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V020000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →