Recall 19V286 covers 8,822 2012-2018 Utilimaster Reach vehicles for wipers that can stall from improper grounding. Repair is free at franchised Utilimaster dealers.
Utilimaster is recalling 8,822 2012-2018 Reach vehicles because improper electrical grounding can stall the windshield wiper motor and leave the wipers inoperative. Loss of wiper function reduces driver visibility and raises crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Utilimaster makes the remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wiper motor on 2012-2018 Utilimaster Reach vehicles powers the wiper arms across the windshield. When the switch is on, the motor turns an internal linkage so the blades clear rain, road spray, and washer fluid from the glass. Clear movement from that motor is what keeps the driver's view open in bad weather.
On affected Reach vehicles, the wiper motor was installed with improper electrical grounding. A ground gives the motor a stable return path for electrical current; without that stable path, the motor can lose power and stall. When it stalls, the wipers stop moving and the windshield is not cleared. The affected motors have a grounding wire visible to the operator or service provider.
There is no warning sign before the motor stalls. The first thing an owner notices can be the wipers slowing, stopping, or failing to restart when visibility already depends on them.
Who's affected?
Spans seven model years, all tied to the same wiper system component.
| 2016 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
| 2014 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
| 2015 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
| 2018 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
| 2013 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
| 2017 Utilimaster Reach | wiper system |
| Units affected | 8,822 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of windshield wiper function reduces visibility and increases the risk of a crash. The wiper motor can stall without warning, so take any wiper problem seriously and avoid wet weather driving until the repair is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Utilimaster dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2018 Utilimaster Reach is included in this recall.
- Wait for Utilimaster's owner notice before scheduling the repair.
- Call Utilimaster customer service at 1-800-543-5008 with questions and reference recall number 19V286 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Utilimaster dealer about the free ground-wire installation that keeps the windshield wiper motor from stalling.
- Use extra caution in rain or snow until the repair is complete, since stalled wipers reduce visibility.
What happens at the repair
Utilimaster's planned dealer repair is to add a ground wire between the windshield wiper motor and a proper ground point on the vehicle so the motor does not stall. Once the repair is available, a Utilimaster technician will install that ground wire at no charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid for a related wiper motor grounding repair before the recall notice. Keep repair paperwork and receipts for the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 10, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 17, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 30, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 10, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V286?
Recall 19V286 covers 8,822 2012-2018 Utilimaster Reach vehicles with improper electrical grounding at the windshield wiper motor. The motor can stall, making the windshield wipers inoperative and reducing driver visibility. Dealers will install a ground wire for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2018 Utilimaster Reach is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V286. If it is, contact a franchised Utilimaster dealer to schedule the wiper motor ground wire repair. Reference recall number 19V286 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 19V286, the dealer installs a ground wire between the windshield wiper motor and a suitable vehicle grounding point free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility while driving. If the wiper motor stalls and the windshield wipers stop working, rain, spray, or road grime can block the driver's view, increasing crash risk. The repair adds the missing ground path so the motor stops stalling.
What if I bought my Utilimaster Reach used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012-2018 Utilimaster Reach is included, then give recall number 19V286 to the dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V286000 |
|---|---|
| Utilimaster customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V286 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V286000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →