2011 Spartan K3: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-08-11 (August 11, 2011)

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan Chassis) is recalling certain 2011 SU and 2011 through 2012 model year MM, K2, and K3 recreational vehicle chassis manufactured from January 28, 2011, through June 28, 2011, equipped with air gauges supplied by Ametek. An incorrect value may have been used in the formula for calculating the sweep angle of the dial. This may have resulted in the accuracy of the gauge varying as much as eleven percent from the cutout pressure as opposed to the maximum allowable of +/- seven percent. Consequently, these chassis fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: In a condition where constant braking may be necessary, the air systems may deplete sooner than expected. This could cause the application of the spring brake without warning and may result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Spartan Chassis will notify owners and replace the affected guages with compliant ones, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 - Option 1. Spartan's campagn number is 11018.

Reported: 2011-08-17 (August 17, 2011)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010, 2011, AND 2012 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS MM, K2, K3, BUS, FURION, GLADIATOR, AND METRO STAR, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2010, THROUGH JUNE 20, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy: SPARTAN IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008 - OPTION 5.

Reported: 2011-10-17 (October 17, 2011)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 INCOMPLETE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 4, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 26, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, PART NUMBER 2791-NN2E-001 OR 2791-NN2E-002. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT CANCEL. ADDITIONALLY, THESE VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INADVERTENT, MODERATE INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACHES ITS GOVERNED SPEED AFTER THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL IS SET.

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING THE BRAKE OR IF THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES AND THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE, THEY MAY HAVE REDUCED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.

Reported: 2013-05-08 (May 8, 2013)

Spartan Motors Chassis (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 K2, and K3 and 2006-2010 MM motorhome chassis manufactured July 20, 2005, through December 17, 2010. The steering gear mounting brackets may crack and detach resulting in a loss of steering.

Consequence: A loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners. Starting in mid-June 2013, dealers will install a replacement bracket or a reinforcement to the existing bracket. Until the remedy is available, owners may have their vehicle inspected at any Spartan service center. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Notices were mailed to owners on June 24, 2013. Owners can contact Spartan at 1-855-589-9836.

Reported: 2013-08-30 (August 30, 2013)

Spartan Motor Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 MM, 2011-2014 K2, and 2010-2012 K3 motor home chassis. Due to contact with the steering relay rod, the ABS modulator valve may fracture resulting in air not being applied to the affected wheel end.

Consequence: This may increase stopping distance of the vehicle or cause the vehicle to pull to one side. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and dealers will reorient the ABS modulator valve and install spacers for additional clearance, free of charge. The recall began on September 17, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. spartan's recall campaign number is 12008.

Reported: 2016-05-17 (May 17, 2016)

Spartan Motors (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Spartan K3 and MM motorhome chassis manufactured September 21, 2006, to March 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials.

Consequence: If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Spartan will notify the motorhome manufacturers that purchased the affected chassis, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 16014. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-554.

Reported: 2016-09-19 (September 19, 2016)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Emergency Response K3, Metrostar, and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis manufactured April 12, 2010, to August 31, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power steering pump that may have an occasional loss of output power resulting in reduced or intermittent loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: An intermittent loss of power steering assist could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge. The recall began on October 11, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 16022.

Reported: 2017-03-13 (March 13, 2017)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Gladiator, 2016-2017 MetroStar, 2012-2018 K2, 2011-2018 K3, 2017-2018 K4, and 2011-2017 MM vehicles. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.

Consequence: A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, and reinstall the properly torqued ball joint, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 17004.

Reported: 2017-05-31 (May 31, 2017)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2010-2014 K2 and K3 motor home chassis and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs. A component within the starter motor may break, potentially resulting in the starter motor overheating or drawing excessive current.

Consequence: A starter motor that overheats may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Spartan will notify the purchasers of the chassis and dealers will replace the starters, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 17012.