- The problem
- Utility trailer is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 vs2ra and model year 2008 vs2dx refrigerated and dry vans equipped with arvinmeritor axles. Insufficient torque may have been applied on the spindle nut on the arvinmeritor tl series trailer axles installed in these van trailers where the stake washer for the nut is staked in a single location as opposed to multiple locations.
- The risk
- Low and/or no torque on the nut can result in excessive end-play in the wheel-end system and could progress to a wheel separation which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Arvinmeritor is working with the vehicle manufacturers to identify and repair the vehicles that contain the subject axles free of charge. Please see arvinmeritor defect report 10e-058. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact arvin meritor at 1-248-273-4641.
Vehicle safety record
2009 Utility VS2RA Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2009 Utility VS2RA with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (2) and the suspension (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in February 2011 for the axle assembly. For comparison, the 2008 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical VS2RA year, for its age
#274 most complained-about 2009 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2009 Utility VS2RA problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2009 Utility VS2RA recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Utility trailer is recalling certain model year 2011 vs2ra and vs2dx trailers equipped with arvin meritor suspension systems. The suspect systems may have missing welds at the interface of the lower seat bracket and axle beam.
- The risk
- Missing welds could allow the axle to roll out of position and potentially impact the handling of the trailer such that a driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Utility trailer is working with arvinmeritor to identify owners with the affect suspension systems. The affected vehicles will be repaired free of charge. Owners may contact arvinmeritor at 1-248-435-0896.
What owners say
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4 complaints about the 2009 Utility VS2RA
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 united express trailer (n/a) with master track touring tires (n/a), size ft225/75/r15, dot number: 9qm1. The contact stated that the front passenger tire blew while traveling approximately 60 mph. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The vin was unavailable.
Purchased an 8 x16 car hauler from quality trailers 4 less on november 10,2009. Trailer was used for hauling vehicles to and from shop location with numerous adjustments to receivers, hitches, tires, shocks, and stabilizer bushings on our 1985 ford f250 to try and adjust for a constant tail waggling issue. On july 8, 2010 we were hauling a1997 ford ranger with no engine in it back to our shop location. Upon turning into our driveway the rear axle on the trailer broke with the vehicle still on the trailer. When we...
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looked to see why this happened we noted that the axle had been improperly welded. We contacted both quality trailers 4 less and lone wolf trailers who are out of alabama and the holder of the warranty for our trailer. After 3 days we received an email from lone wolf trailers admitting that they knew of some of the trailers having faulty axles . At this point in time after approximately 6 emails and 4 phone calls we are no closer to a resolution of this situation. We feel they need to be reported simply on the basis that they knew of faulty axle situations and yet they did not contact us the consumer to let us know of this potentially life threatening safety hazard. If this breakage had occurred on the interstate or any other busy roadway and not in our driveway I am quite sure that you would have been notified about it. We did not file a police report as the only damage done was to the trailer itself and happened on our property. We feel that they not only put our safety but would have been many others on the line by not notifying us of the known axle problems and need to be checked out immediately. *Tr
A stoughton 40 ft hopper trailer incurred a frame failure under load at highway speed after crossing rr tracks. The identification of this trailer in incorrect in the required field for vehicle identification. "Stoughton" is not an option on this site. *Tr
Thule utility trailer is equipped with bad safety chains. The chain is made of plastic coated steel cable with the crimmped couplings. I pulled the chain with my hand and it came apart. This chain suppose to keep trailer attached to the vehicle in case it looses ball connection. Trailer is designed to carry 1300 pounds of cargo load, so the cable should be made much more durable. The problem is that cable was crimped over plastic coating that is the biggest cable handling violation. E-trailer, that sold me thule...
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205 utility trailer sent a replacement cable that was made exactly the same way. I was pointing out this problem to customer service manager july, but she was wondering why only my cable broke, but no one else complained. I tried to explaind her that if some one has to relay on safety cable, these cable will fail and they will have law suits. I am the engineer that works with cables and I know that every manufacturer of coated cable puts notes warning do not crim anything over plastic coating as it will not work. Appears thule can not read instructions, or they are not tarnslated in to chinese where trailers are made. They sold a lots of trailers and looks like every one has this hidden problem. I made my own cables not waiting for something bad to happen.
Utility VS2RA: every year compared
All VS2RA years2009 Utility VS2RA vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Utility VS2RA | 4 | 2 | D | |
| 2009 Utility 3000R | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2009 Utility VS2RA
Does the 2009 Utility VS2RA have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Utility VS2RA: axle assembly (February 2011); suspension (November 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Utility VS2RA?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (2), suspension (1), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2009 Utility VS2RA had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 24, 2010 and the latest on June 13, 2011. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2009 Utility VS2RA a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Utility VS2RA year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Utility VS2RA years have the most complaints?
2009 (4), 2004 (2). See every Utility VS2RA year compared.
What should I do if my 2009 Utility VS2RA has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data