2012 Spartan K2: 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: 2011-12-06 (December 6, 2011)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 K2 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 30, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 22, 2011, RATED AT 52,000 LBS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3030 BRAKE CHAMBERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 121, “AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS” BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MEET THE PARK BRAKE AND DRAW BAR REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence: THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE AND IF THE VEHICLE MOVES, INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTALL IMPROVED BRAKE CHAMBERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.

Reported: 2012-03-23 (March 23, 2012)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 K2 AND MG CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH 3030 BRAKE CHAMBERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 121, “AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS” BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MEET THE PARK BRAKE AND DRAW BAR REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence: THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE AND IF THE VEHICLE MOVES, INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTALL IMPROVED BRAKE CHAMBERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 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: 2013-08-30 (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: 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.