Recall 12V078 affects 679 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster vehicles for a shifter cable that misstates gear position. Repair is free at a franchised Utilimaster dealer.
Utilimaster is recalling 679 2011 Aeromaster vehicles because the transmission gear shifter cable can break at the steering-column selector arm, leaving the PRNDL display stuck in first gear. The wrong gear indication can keep a driver from knowing whether the vehicle is in park or reverse, increasing crash risk; the Utilimaster dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The gear shifter cable on the 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster is the mechanical link between the driver’s gear selector and the transmission control selector arm on the steering column. When the driver moves the selector through park, reverse, neutral, or drive, the cable is supposed to move the selector arm and keep the instrument-panel gear display lined up with the gear chosen.
On affected Aeromaster vehicles, the cable can break where it attaches to the transmission control selector arm assembly. Once that connection breaks, the shifter and the transmission indicator stop matching each other. The PRNDL display in the instrument panel stays in the first gear position even when the driver selects another gear.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the gear display no longer changing with the gear selector, which means the driver no longer has a reliable display of the selected gear.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 679 |
Not every 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect gear display leaves the driver without a reliable instrument panel confirmation of park or reverse, increasing crash risk. Before moving or exiting the vehicle, verify the shifter position by feel and schedule the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Utilimaster dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer to ask about the free transmission-selector-arm and shifter-cable repair that fixes the incorrect PRNDL gear indication.
- Reference recall number 12V078 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Utilimaster mailed one.
- Confirm the vehicle is in park before exiting, and use extra care when selecting reverse until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The repair named for this recall is replacement of the transmission selector arm assembly and the transmission gear shifter cable assembly. Once the repair is available for your VIN, a Utilimaster technician replaces those parts at no charge. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. Ask the dealer to confirm parts availability before the service visit, and describe the gear indicator issue when you call so the service desk routes the appointment to the right repair.
Timeline
| February 28, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 16, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V078?
Recall 12V078 covers 679 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster vehicles with a transmission gear shifter cable that can break at the steering-column selector arm. If it breaks, the gear indicator can stay in first gear even when another gear is selected, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011 Utilimaster Aeromaster is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V078. If it is, contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer to schedule replacement of the transmission selector arm assembly and transmission gear shifter cable assembly. Reference recall number 12V078 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Utilimaster dealers will replace the transmission selector arm assembly and transmission gear shifter cable assembly free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an incorrect gear indication in the instrument panel. The driver can lose clear confirmation of whether the vehicle is in park or reverse, increasing the risk of a crash. Use the VIN check, then schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V078000 |
|---|---|
| Utilimaster customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V078 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V078000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →