2013 Spartan MM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2012-09-04 (September 4, 2012)

Spartan is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 K2 and MM motor home chassis, equipped with a Hendrickson independent front suspension. The front brake chambers may contact the upper control arm of the independent front suspension. Continued contact may result in damage sufficient enough to inhibit the full release of the brakes. If the brakes do not fully release, as they drag, heat could be generated causing the brakes to engage even further.

Consequence: As the brakes self-engage, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan chassis will notify owners, and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on Decenber 5, 2012. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 Option 1.

Reported: 2012-12-06 (December 6, 2012)

Spartan Motors Chassis is recalling certain model year 2013 K2, K3, and MM motorhome chassis, manufactured July 23, 2012, through November 7, 2012 and equipped with an independent front suspension that has the ABS modulator valve mounted in a forward position. The front brake hoses or the ABS sensor cable may be damaged as a result of contact with the swaybar.

Consequence: Damaged brake hoses will result in insufficient air being applied to the front brake chambers. Lack of air to the front brake may increase stopping distances. Damage to the ABS sensor cable may disable the ABS. Either condition may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2012. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400.

Reported: 2013-06-10 (June 10, 2013)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 K2, K3, and MM motor homes manufactured March 2, 2012, through July 30, 2012 and equipped with a 1660 independent front suspension supplied by Reyco Granning. The motor homes may have incorrect wheel bearings installed in the front suspension.

Consequence: Incorrect wheel bearings may cause the vehicle to pull to one side and with continued use, there is a risk of a fire starting at the wheel.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and dealers will inspect the bearings and replace them, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's campaign number is 13-009.

Reported: 2013-10-25 (October 25, 2013)

Spartan Motors Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 K2, K3, MetroStar, and MM motor homes and one emergency response chassis. Castle nuts for the steering linkage ball joint fasteners, which mount to bell cranks, may be loose. If the castle nuts become completely loose, the steering linkage may separate from the bell cranks without warning.

Consequence: This may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the castle nuts and tighten them as necessary. The recall began on December 9, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's recall campaign number is 13025.

Reported: 2014-01-28 (January 28, 2014)

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan Chassis) is recalling certain 2010-2014 model year MM motorhome chassis manufactured December 11, 2009, through January 30, 2013, and equipped with a sway bar and model 1253 front suspension. This front suspension design has increased rebound travel which may result in a binding condition of the sway bar end link which could lead to the breaking of the sway bar end links.

Consequence: Broken sway bar end links may result in poor vehicle handling, or sway, which increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan Chassis will notify owners, and dealers will replace the old end links with new end links and an improved mounting, free of charge. The recall began on March 4, 2014. Customers may contact Spartan Chassis at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Chassis's number for this recall is 12012.

Reported: 2014-11-24 (November 24, 2014)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Gladiator, DR, K2, K3, MetroStar, MM, and NVS vehicles manufactured December 14, 2011, to October 21, 2014, equipped with certain Wabco Quick Release Valves with Double Check. In the affected valves, the rubber diaphragm may be damaged by sharp edges on the valve seat ribs, reducing the available air pressure in the air tanks.

Consequence: The reduced air pressure levels may reduce braking performance and/or the parking brakes could reapply, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the valve, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14021.

Reported: 2014-12-23 (December 23, 2014)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Gladiator, K2, K3, MetroStar, and MM motorhome and emergency response chassis cabs manufactured November 28, 2012, to October 15, 2013. The castle nuts for the steering linkage may loosen, allowing the steering linkage to separate.

Consequence: If the steering linkage separates, a loss of steering control would occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the castle nuts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14023.

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: 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.