Spartan K3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
41 distinct recall campaigns
6,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 7 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 57.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 4 |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Steering: 4; Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Equipment: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2013: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10994629 · 2017-06-13 (June 13, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SPARTAN MOTORS MOTOR HOME (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SPARTAN MANUFACTURER AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT, POWER STEERING, AND POWER STEERING LINE WERE REPAIRED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V676000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11465930 · 2022-05-24 (May 24, 2022)
There are two problems with this vehicle. 1) Power steering fails randomly. The failure is in the steering column. The failure can happen at any speed. When the failure occurs the vehicle will suddenly lose power steering causing the loss of full control of the steering. Unable to use the power steering in a GVW 64,000 pounds can make it difficult to control the vehicle. The only way to regain the power steering is to pull the vehicle into a safe place and restart the engine. There are no warning lights or audible indicators. This problem was r…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11465930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202459 · 2007-09-10 (September 10, 2007)
VEHICLE: 2005 TRAVEL SUPREME ENVOY MODEL 38DS04 CLASS A MOTOR HOME WITH SPARTAN CHASSIS. DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE DRIVELINE DUE TO DEFECTIVE /MISTAKEN REVERSED ASSEMBLY CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AND POTENTIAL DROP OUT ON ROAD CAUSING UNDUE WEAR TO ALL DRIVELINE COMPONENTS AND DAMAGE DUE TO STRIKING BOLTS IN CHASSIS, AS WELL AS EXTREME DISCOMFORT DURING DRIVING AT LESS THAN NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. UNIT HAD NUMEROUS OTHER SERIOUS ASSEMBLY DEFECTS. HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE INSTALLED WRONG CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10515987 · 2013-06-10 (June 10, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NEWMAR KING AIRE RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2012 SPARTAN CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE COMPRESSOR BRAKE WAS ACTIVATED AND THEN THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE COMPRESSOR BRAKE SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE TRAILER BRAKES TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11595285 · 2024-06-19 (June 19, 2024)
This vehicle is subject to recall 24V-052. I got a notice in March from Spartan RV Chassis about repair of a steering issue that causes the loss of power steering assist after close quarters maneuvering. This problem appeared after we got the notice and is worsening. Because this is a 25 ton RV, the loss of power steering makes controlling the vehicle in turns and curves much more difficult. The dealer says Spartan has not made repair parts available to it, despite the urgency conveyed in the recall notice.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11595285 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 4; 2010: 7; 2011: 9; 2012: 8; 2013: 9; 2014: 7; 2015: 9; 2016: 5; 2017: 7; 2018: 6; 2019: 4; 2020: 5; 2021: 6; 2022: 7; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 1