Recall 15V249 affects 97 2014 Utilimaster Walk-In Van vans for loose driveshaft fasteners. Repair is free at a franchised Utilimaster dealer.
Utilimaster is recalling 97 2014 Walk-In Van vehicles because inadequately torqued fasteners can let the driveshaft disconnect. If that happens, power to the rear axle is lost and crash risk increases; the dealer repair will be free once Utilimaster makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The driveshaft on the 2014 Utilimaster Walk-In Van is the rotating metal shaft that carries power through the driveline so the wheels keep moving. It connects through universal joints, or u-joints, which let the driveline flex while the van moves over bumps and changes load.
On affected vans, the u-joint fasteners were not tightened to the required torque during alteration work. Torque is the amount of tightening force on a bolt. If those fasteners loosen, the u-joint no longer holds the driveshaft securely. The driveshaft can disconnect from the driveline instead of staying locked in place.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driveshaft can become disconnected without advance noise, warning light, or other owner-noticeable signal listed in the recall record.
Who's affected?
| 2014 Utilimaster Walk-In Van | driveline |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 97 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A disconnected driveshaft cuts power delivery to the rear axle and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the driveshaft disconnects, so drive cautiously and arrange the dealer inspection soon if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Utilimaster dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Utilimaster Walk-In Van is included in this recall.
- Wait for Utilimaster's owner notice if you have not received it; owner letters were mailed June 8, 2015.
- Call Utilimaster customer service at 1-800-582-3484 and reference recall number 15V249 when you ask about repair timing.
- Ask a franchised Utilimaster dealer about the free driveshaft-fastener inspection and tightening that secures the driveshaft.
- Avoid driving if you feel driveline vibration, hear unusual noise from under the van, or lose power delivery to the rear axle.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Utilimaster technician will inspect the driveshaft fasteners and check that they are tightened to the correct torque. Any loose fasteners will be tightened as needed. The final dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The owner notice process began on June 8, 2015, so have the service desk confirm the current repair instructions for campaign 15V249 when your VIN is included.
Timeline
| April 28, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V249?
Recall 15V249 covers 97 2014 Utilimaster Walk-In Van vehicles altered by Lippert Components with driveshaft fasteners that were not torqued enough. The driveshaft can disconnect, causing loss of power to the rear axle and increasing crash risk. Dealers inspect and tighten the fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2014 Utilimaster Walk-In Van is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 15V249. If it is, contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer and ask for the driveshaft fastener torque inspection. Reference recall number 15V249 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and the remedy states that dealers inspect the driveshaft fastener torque and tighten the fasteners as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loss of power to the rear axle if the driveshaft disconnects. That loss of power delivery increases crash risk. Until your VIN is checked and the fasteners are inspected, ask the dealer for guidance before putting the van back into service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V249000 |
|---|---|
| Utilimaster customer service | 1-800-582-3484 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V249 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V249000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →