2007 Spartan MM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2006-03-31 (March 31, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BUSSMAN BOX WAS INCORRECTLY SOLDERED AND COULD FAIL.

Consequence: ELECTRICAL POWER MAY BE LOST TO COMPONENTS OF THE MAJOR CHASSIS OPERATING SYSTEMS (ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STARTING, COOLING) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUTDOWN AND/OR NOT BE CAPABLE OF POWERING UP. ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION STARTING AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS, IN THE OPERATION OF THE RIGHT CHASSIS STOP/TURN SIGNAL AND RIGHT TRAILER STOP/TURN SIGNAL, ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), AUXILIARY BRAKE SYSTEM, HEATER ELEMENTS IN THE AIR DRYER, AND/OR THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE WATER IN-FUEL SEPARATOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.

Reported: 2007-06-29 (June 29, 2007)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL CM850 DIESEL ENGINES, THE CONNECTING ROD CONTAINS A MACHINING DEFECT IN THE WRIST PIN BUSHING OF THE ROD THAT COULD CAUSE A SEIZURE OF THE PISTON PIN.

Consequence: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THIS CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ROD RUPTURING THE LOCK CAVITY, RESULTING IN OIL AND DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SPARTAN IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO RECALIBRATE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND ENHANCE THE ENGINE PROTECTION SYSTEM ENABLING IT TO PROVIDE EARLY DETECTION OF THE FAILURE MODE AND AVOID MORE SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND RESULTANT SAFETY HAZARD. CUMMINS WILL ALSO INSTALL A NEW VALVE COVER WITH A CRANKCASE PRESSURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E033). OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 800-343-7357 OR SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400.

Reported: 2007-08-15 (August 15, 2007)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THERE MAY BE A LOOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BUS BAR AND A GRID PAD DUE TO THE PINS BEING SLIGHTLY SMALLER DIAMETERS AFTER ASSEMBLY. ELECTRICAL POWER MAY BE LOST TO COMPONENTS OF THE MAJOR CHASSIS OPERATING SYSTEMS (ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STARTING, COOLING) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN AND/OR NOT BE CAPABLE OF POWERING UP.

Consequence: EACH VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS COULD OCCUR: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STARTING AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS, OPERATION OF THE RIGHT CHASSIS STOP/TURN SIGNAL AND RIGHT TRAILER STOP/TURN SIGNAL, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AUXILIARY BRAKE SYSTEM, THE HEATER ELEMENTS IN THE AIR DRYER, AND THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE WATER-IN-FUEL SEPARATOR.

Remedy: THE DVEC BUSSMANN BOX WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.

Reported: 2008-06-20 (June 20, 2008)

SPARTAN CHASSIS IS RECALLING 213 MY 2007-2008 MM, AND MY 2008 K2, K3, AND SU MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. CERTAIN CHASSIS FASTENERS MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN POOR HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE, LOSS OF STEERING, AND/OR REDUCED LEVEL OF SUSPENSION PERFORMANCE.

Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FASTENERS AS NEEDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-4277.

Reported: 2008-10-28 (October 28, 2008)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING 2,621 MY 2005-2009 K2, MY 2006-2009 MG, AND MY 2007-2009 MM MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH PUTNAM HITCHES. CERTAIN TRAILER HITCHES MAY FRACTURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE TRAILER.

Consequence: SUSPECT HITCHES MAY DEVELOP FRACTURES AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION MAY OCCUR, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PEDESTRIAN HARM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 21, 2009. 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: 2015-09-01 (September 1, 2015)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2007-2008 MM and K2 motorhome chassis manufactured March 07, 2006, to June 22, 2006. The affected vehicles have tag axles with wheel bearings that may be adjusted too tight, resulting in their overheating during use.

Consequence: If the wheel bearings overheat, there is an increased risk of a wheel end fire.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the wheel bearing load, replacing the bearings as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 14015.

Reported: 2015-09-01 (September 1, 2015)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 K2, K3 and MM motorhomes manufactured March 17, 2003, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may separate from the fan drive while the fan is spinning.

Consequence: If the engine area is open and the cooling fan is operating and detaches, someone nearby may be injured.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fan and fan drive system, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on October 29, 2015. The recall began on October 29, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15014.

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.