Recall 16V639 affects 151 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van vehicles for driver's seats that recline unexpectedly. Repair is free at any franchised Utilimaster dealer.
Utilimaster is recalling 151 2016 Walk-In Van vehicles with reclining-style driver seats that can recline unexpectedly. That movement can interfere with driver control and raise crash and injury risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Utilimaster makes the final remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's seat in the 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van uses a recliner mechanism built into the seat assembly. That mechanism lets the driver set the seatback angle, then holds the seatback in that position while the van is being driven. The lock has to stay engaged so the driver keeps a stable seating position at the pedals and steering wheel.
On vans equipped with the reclining style seat supplied by Freedman Seats, the recliner mechanism can fail. When it fails, the driver's seatback can recline unexpectedly instead of staying locked in place. Utilimaster's remedy uses a seat without the reclining mechanism, which removes the part tied to the defect.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seatback can move without advance notice, so a driver has no reliable symptom to watch for before the recliner gives way.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 151 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected reclining of the driver's seat can interfere with vehicle control and increase crash risk. If the seat fails during a crash, the occupant faces a greater risk of injury. There is no warning sign before this happens. Drive cautiously and contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Utilimaster dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer to ask when the free non-reclining seat replacement that stops the driver's seat from reclining unexpectedly is available.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V639 when you call.
- Keep the driver's seat upright and stop using the van if the seat back will not stay locked.
What happens at the repair
Because the final remedy is still being developed, confirm availability before scheduling the seat replacement. Once available, a Utilimaster technician will remove the reclining driver's seat and install a non-reclining seat, free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Until the repair opens, contact the dealer with campaign 16V639 and ask how to handle the van if the driver's seat reclines unexpectedly during use.
Timeline
| September 2, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 8, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 17, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V639?
Recall 16V639 covers 151 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van vehicles with a driver's seat that can recline unexpectedly. That seat movement can affect vehicle control and increase crash risk. Utilimaster dealers will replace the seat with a non-reclining seat for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Utilimaster Walk-In Van is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 16V639. If it is, contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer to schedule the seat replacement. Reference recall number 16V639 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V639, Utilimaster dealers will replace the reclining driver's seat with a non-reclining seat free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The driver's seat can recline unexpectedly while the van is being driven. That movement can affect the driver's ability to control the vehicle and increase crash risk. If the seat fails during a crash, the seat occupant faces a greater risk of injury.
When did the Utilimaster seat recall begin?
The recall began on October 17, 2016. If your VIN is included and the seat replacement has not been completed, contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer or Utilimaster customer service at 1-800-582-3454 for scheduling guidance.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V639000 |
|---|---|
| Utilimaster customer service | 1-800-582-3454 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V639 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V639000 |
Source documents
-
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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →