Recall 16V503 covers 98,000 2014-2016 Utility Flatbed Trailers, Refrigerated Trailers, and Dry Van Trailers for delayed spring-brake application. Repair will be free once available.
Utility is recalling 98,000 2014-2016 Flatbed Trailers, Refrigerated Trailers, and Dry Van Trailers equipped with certain Bendix SR5 spring brake valves. Improper valve machining can delay spring-brake application while parking, allowing a trailer to roll away after it decouples from the tractor; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Bendix SR-5 spring brake valve on 2014-2016 Utility Flatbed Trailers, Refrigerated Trailers, and Dry Van Trailers is part of the trailer parking brake system. It controls air flow to the spring brakes, which use spring force to hold the trailer when it is parked and release when air pressure is supplied.
On affected trailers, check valve B inside the SR-5 valve was machined without the intended chamfer, the small beveled edge that helps parts seat squarely. The sharp edge can let the plunger sit off center, which can create an air leak inside the valve. When that happens, the spring brakes take longer to apply while parking.
Warning signs include an air leak at the supply, or red, gladhand when the trailer is uncoupled from the tractor. When the trailer is coupled, a leak can be heard at the park control valve or tractor pressure protection valve. The parking brake can also be slow to apply.
Who's affected?
Covers three Utility trailer types across the 2014-2016 model years, all with the same parking brake component.
| 2016 Utility Flatbed Trailers | Parking brake |
|---|---|
| 2014 Utility Refrigerated Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2015 Utility Dry Van Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2014 Utility Flatbed Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2015 Utility Refrigerated Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2016 Utility Dry Van Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2014 Utility Dry Van Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2015 Utility Flatbed Trailers | Parking brake |
| 2016 Utility Refrigerated Trailers | Parking brake |
| Units affected | 98,000 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
The year and trailer type narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A delayed spring brake application can let the trailer roll away after it decouples from the tractor, increasing crash or injury risk. Treat air leaks at the red supply gladhand, valve exhaust leaks, or slow parking brake application as a reason to keep the trailer secured and arrange service. Repair will be free at any franchised Utility dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Utility Flatbed Trailers, Refrigerated Trailers, or Dry Van Trailers is included in this recall.
- Review Utility's owner notice for the SR-5 trailer relay-valve remedy-kit instructions before attempting the repair.
- Contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591 with questions and reference recall number 16V503 when you call.
- Use wheel chocks and confirm the trailer is secured before decoupling until the parking-brake relay-valve repair is complete.
- Bring the remedy kit and instructions to a qualified service provider for the free repair that fixes delayed spring-brake application while parking.
What happens at the repair
Utility says it will contact owners and provide a free remedy kit with instructions for repairing affected SR-5 trailer relay valves. Because the remedy status is listed as under development, the final repair path should be treated as not open until Utility confirms the kit process for your trailer. Parts and instructions are covered under the recall once available. Utility has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for an SR-5 trailer relay valve repair tied to this recall, contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591 and ask what documentation is required.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| July 5, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| July 29, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 29, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 18, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V503?
Recall 16V503 covers 98,000 2014-2016 Utility Flatbed Trailers, Refrigerated Trailers, and Dry Van Trailers equipped with certain Bendix SR5 spring brake valves. Improper machining can delay spring brake application while parking, which can let a decoupled trailer roll away and increase crash or injury risk.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Utility Flatbed Trailers, Refrigerated Trailers, or Dry Van Trailers is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 16V503. If it is, contact Utility customer service at 1-800-423-6591 or a franchised Utility service location and reference recall 16V503. Utility provides the remedy kit and repair instructions free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost, and Utility provides the SR-5 trailer relay valve remedy kit and repair instructions free of charge. Ask the service desk to confirm that recall 16V503 applies before repair work begins.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is trailer rollaway after decoupling from the tractor. The affected Bendix SR5 spring brake valve can delay spring brake application while parking. If the trailer rolls after it is uncoupled, it increases the risk of a crash or injury.
When were owners notified about recall 16V503?
Utility sent an interim owner notification on July 27, 2016, and the recall began on August 18, 2016. If you bought the trailer used or did not receive a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 16V503 when contacting Utility or a service location.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V503000 |
|---|---|
| Utility customer service | 1-800-423-6591 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V503 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V503000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →