2010 Spartan METROSTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-02-05 (February 5, 2010)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 ADVANTAGE, BARRON, GLADIATOR, METROSTAR, MOUNTAIN STAR, AND TR-1 FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS CABS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 27, 2003 AND NOVEMBER 17, 2009 AND BELTS SOLD TO VARIOUS VEHICLE ALTERS. CERTAIN SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence: THE SEAT BELT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CAB DURING A VEHICLE CRASH AND FAIL TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. THIS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-4277 - Option 1.

Reported: 2010-05-14 (May 14, 2010)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 GLADIATOR, METROSTAR, FURION, AND DIAMOND FIRE APPARATUS AND AMBULANCE CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2008 THROUGH JANUARY 25, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC). IN CERTAIN CASES, THE ESC MAY INADVERTENTLY INTERPRET VEHICLE INSTABILITY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE MAY BE STABLE, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE INTERVENTION OF BRAKE ACTIVATION TO A SELECTED WHEEL.

Consequence: INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION TO A SELECTED WHEEL MAY CAUSE THE DRIVE TO TRY AND OVER CORRECT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS WILL PERFORM THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008, OPTION 5.

Reported: 2010-06-07 (June 7, 2010)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 GLADIATOR AND METROSTAR INCOMPLETE FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS CABS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2008 THROUGH MAY 25, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH TANDEM REAR AXLES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). THE VEHICLES FAIL TO MEET THE SERVICE BRAKE RELEASE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." SPECIFICALLY, ADDITIONAL VALVING REQUIRED FOR THE ESC SYSTEM REDUCED THE AIR FLOW AND VOLUME TO THE BRAKE CHAMBERS RESULTING IN SLOWER SERVICE BRAKE RELEASE TIMING.

Consequence: SERVICE BRAKE RELEASE TIMING THAT DOES MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 121 MAY RESULT IN LESS EFFICIENT BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND WILL PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING MOVED IN A TIMELY FASHION.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE .38 INCH INSIDE DIAMETER BRAKE HOSE TO A .50 INCH INSIDE DIAMETER HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-5008 - OPTION 5.

Reported: 2011-03-21 (March 21, 2011)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008, 2010, AND 2011 GLADIATOR, AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2010 METROSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 4, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 22, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH GUNITE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE "KNITTING" OF THE IRON AT THE TIME OF CASTING, INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING CAN OCCUR, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BREAK AT THE HANDLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING LOADS.

Consequence: SLACK ADJUSTERS WITH THIS FLOW NOTCH COULD CRACK UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT SLACK ADJUSTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-5008, OPTION 5.

Reported: 2011-04-14 (April 14, 2011)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FURION, GLADIATOR, AND METROSTAR FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS/CAB PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2010, THROUGH MARCH 24, 2011. CERTAIN TELL TALES DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THEY ARE INTENDED (HIGH BEAM LAMP, TURN SIGNALS), OR FLICKER. IN ADDITION, THE ABS LAMP MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SYSTEM IS AFFECTED BY A FAULT. THEREFORE THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence: THE TELL TALE FOR THE HIGH BEAM MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE HIGH BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL DISTRACTION TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ALSO, THE ABS LAMP MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A MALFUNCTION OCCURS THEREFORE NOT ALERTING THE DRIVER. BOTH OF THESE CONSEQUENCES COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CONTROL PANEL FOR THE TELL TALES WITH LOGIC THAT WILL ENSURE THE TELLS WILL WORK AS DESIGNED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008 - OPTION 5.

Reported: 2011-06-13 (June 13, 2011)

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 METROSTAR AND MODEL YEAR 2010 GLADIATOR FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS/CAB, MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 9, 2010 THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH ROLLTEK SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE AIR BAG. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND IF A FAULT OCCURS THE VEHICLE'S OPERATOR MAY NOT BE WARNED OF A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE AIR BAGS.

Consequence: IF AN OWNER OR OPERATOR IS NOT WARNED OF A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM, THEY WILL NOT TAKE STEPS TO ADDRESS AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT AND CONNECT THE WIRES AS NECESSARY FOR THE SRS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008 - OPTION 5.

Reported: 2011-10-13 (October 13, 2011)

SPARTAN CHASSIS (SPARTAN), IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 DIAMOND, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 FURION ALONG WITH MODEL YEAR 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010 FURION R/T, MODEL YEAR 2007-2012 GLADIATOR, MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 METROSTAR AND MODEL YEAR 2012 SPARTAN FORCE EMERGENCY RESCUE TRANSPORT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 12, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2011. THE ESC MODULE MAY CAUSE THE ESC SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE UNNECESSARILY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN A PARTICULAR MANNER ON CERTAIN UNIQUE ROAD CONDITIONS AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION BY THE ESC MODULE.

Consequence: THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE FRONT AXLE OUTER WHEEL SERVICE BRAKE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE BY THE ESC. THESE CONDITIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008 OPTION 5.

Reported: 2013-12-18 (December 18, 2013)

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan Chassis) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Diamond, model year 2006-2010 Gladiator, model year 2009-2010 Metrostar and one model year 2007 Advantage emergency response vehicles manufactured December 22, 2005, through October 13, 2010, and equipped with independent front suspensions (IFS) by Ridgewell Corporation. In the affected vehicles, welds on the IFS cradles may crack.

Consequence: Cracking of the welds could result in difficulty in steering the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan Chassis will notify owners, and dealers will repair any cracks and install reinforcement brackets, free of charge. An interim notification will be sent in January 2014. A second notification will be sent when the remedy parts are available. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 13028.

Reported: 2014-10-06 (October 6, 2014)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2013 Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured November 29, 2005, to June 19, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the transmission fluid cooler may fail, allowing the engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid.

Consequence: If the engine coolant mixes with the transmission fluid, the transmission may not shift properly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and dealers will install a new transmission fluid cooler, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on November 25, 2014 and will also be mailed a second letter when parts are available. Parts should be available in mid to late January 2015. The recall began on February 9, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14017.

Reported: 2015-06-24 (June 24, 2015)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Furion, Gladiator, and Metrostar emergency response vehicles manufactured November 10, 2009, to June 16, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may crack and the fan blades may detach while the fan is spinning.

Consequence: If the cab is raised, such as during a repair, and the engine cooling fan is operating and comes apart, those in close proximity could be injured from the shattered parts.

Remedy: Spartan will notify the vehicle manufacturers that purchased the affected emergency vehicle chassis, and their dealers will install a new engine cooling fan, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15011.

Reported: 2015-07-15 (July 15, 2015)

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency response vehicles manufactured January 18, 2007 to February 9, 2015. The front wheels of the affected vehicles have valve stems that may rub against the brake caliper.

Consequence: If the valve stems rub against the brake caliper, a hole may develop causing the tire to deflate suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front wheel valve stems and replace any that have wear marks, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15012.

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

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, to August 6, 2010. The affected vehicles have mirror lenses that may fall off due to vibration.

Consequence: If the mirror lens comes loose and and falls out, the driver's ability to see objects in the mirror would be impaired, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan cutomer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15016.

Reported: 2016-09-19 (September 19, 2016)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Emergency Response K3, Metrostar, and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis manufactured April 12, 2010, to August 31, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power steering pump that may have an occasional loss of output power resulting in reduced or intermittent loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: An intermittent loss of power steering assist could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge. The recall began on October 11, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 16022.

Reported: 2017-05-01 (May 1, 2017)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Gladiator and MetroStar emergency response vehicles equipped with a supplemental park brake system (SPBS). The directions to activate the SPBS incorrectly state to "Pull" the actuation knob, when it should say "Push."

Consequence: If the operator follows the incorrect directions and believes that the supplemental front park brake is applied when it is not, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and supply a new actuator control knob with the correct directions, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 17009.

Reported: 2018-05-29 (May 29, 2018)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2001-2018 Spartan Gladiator, Diamond, MetroStar, and Advantage emergency response vehicles. The affected vehicles may not be equipped with a pressure protection valve installed between the air reservoir and the lubrication control module. If the air line were to become disconnected between the lubrication control module and the air reservoir, a loss of air to the air brake system could occur. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: A loss of air to the air brake system could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and install a pressure protection valve, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18017.

Reported: 2018-06-25 (June 25, 2018)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Gladiator and MetroStar emergency vehicles. The fire water pump solenoid may corrode internally, causing a loss of power to the pump control module.

Consequence: A loss of power to the pump control module can cause a loss of water pressure for fighting fires, thereby increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the solenoids, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18019.

Reported: 2018-10-03 (October 3, 2018)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2001-2019 Spartan MetroStar and Gladiator emergency vehicles. The mounting fasteners for the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) cabinets may not be the correct size, allowing the cabinets to break free from their mountings in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the EMS cabinets become loose during a crash, the cabinets may become projectiles, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect size fasteners with the correct fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18030.

Reported: 2019-09-23 (September 23, 2019)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2004-2020 Emergency Response Gladiator and Spartan vehicles equipped with a pneumatically-controlled automatic tire chain system. The air pressure control lines may not be pressure-protected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: Without the control line being pressure-protected, in the event the control line is severed, air may suddenly be lost from the service reservoir system, causing the brakes to apply unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the control lines, rerouting them into the auxiliary air reservoir as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19017.

Reported: 2019-11-19 (November 19, 2019)

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion Body Works) is recalling certain 2005-2020 Emergency Response Gladiator and Metrostar vehicles equipped with pneumatically-controlled automatic tire chain systems. The air pressure control lines may not be pressure-protected.

Consequence: Without the control line being pressure-protected, in the event the control line is severed, air may suddenly be lost from the service reservoir system, causing the brakes to apply unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Marion Body Works will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the control lines, rerouting them into the auxiliary air reservoir as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 22, 2019. Owners may contact Marion Body Works customer service at 1-715-754-5261 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008.