2015 Spartan MM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2014-08-18 (August 18, 2014)

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Gladiator emergency vehicles, 2013-2014 Metrostar emergency vehicles, 2015 motorhome chassis, and 2015 school buses chassis. The Cummins ISB or ISL engines in these vehicles may have been equipped with Fleetguard UFF-XT fuel filters, part number FF63009, whose filter shell may separate from the fuel filter nut plate causing the engine to stall without warning.

Consequence: If the engine stalls unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan has notified the final stage manufacturers, and Cummins will replace the affected fuel filters, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Owners may also contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-223-4583.

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: 2015-01-16 (January 16, 2015)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Spartan MM chassis manufactured October 2, 2013, to November 19, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the front sway bar mounting brackets may break, causing the sway bar to detach from the mounting frame.

Consequence: If the sway bar detaches, additional vehicle sway may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and dealers will replace the front sway bar mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on May 15, 2015. Spartan issued an interim notification to owners on March 4, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400.

Reported: 2015-06-19 (June 19, 2015)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 K2, K3 and MM chassis manufactured October 2, 2013, to April 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fasteners that attach the stay rod (v-rod) to the rear drive axle may not have been installed with thread locker or tightened in the correct sequence.

Consequence: If the fasteners come loose, the stay rod may disconnect from the rear axle, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fasteners using thread lock, tightening them in the proper sequence and with the required torque values, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15010.

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.