Vehicle recall 97V027000 · February 22, 1997

1996-1997 Utilimaster Walk-IN Van

When the vehicle is being driven, the force of the wind against the hood can force the hood behind the bumper allowing the hood to drop.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: When the vehicle is being driven, the force of the wind against the hood can force the hood behind the bumper allowing the hood to drop. This reduces the tension on the two rubber hold-downs which then become loose.
Consequence: If both tie downs come loose, the hood can separate during vehicle operation leading to a possible broken windshield and/or blocking of the driver's vision, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash..
Remedy: Dealers will add a metal bracket and a second bumper above and behind the original bumper so that the hood cannot be pushed or slip behind the original (bottom) bumper.
Notes: Owner notification began June 18, 1997. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact utilimaster at 1-800-582-3454.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 97V027000
Reported to NHTSA: February 22, 1997
Filed by: UTILIMASTER CORPORATION
Owner notification: June 18, 1997
Vehicles potentially affected: 3,132
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Structure › Body › Hood

Recall 97V027000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Utilimaster Walk-IN Van (1996-1997): 1997, 1996

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