2019 Spartan METROSTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2018-09-19 (September 19, 2018)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar emergency vehicles. The wheel studs may have not been properly heat treated causing them to fail.

Consequence: If enough of the improperly heat treated studs fail on the same steer axle hub, the wheel may detach, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: All affected vehicles have been repaired, therefore owner notification letters will not be mailed. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18027.

Reported: 2018-09-21 (September 21, 2018)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Spartan MetroStar and Gladiator emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18026.

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: 2018-12-26 (December 26, 2018)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Emergency Response Gladiator and Metro Star vehicles built into fire apparatus and equipped with tandem axles, drum brakes at the rear axles and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Vehicles with this configuration may have a delay in their brake release, preventing them from complying with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: A delay in the brakes releasing may hinder vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will re-route a portion of the brake system to bring the vehicle into compliance, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18038.

Reported: 2019-05-13 (May 13, 2019)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, and K4 emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may result in an extended stopping distance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: An increase in stopping distance increases the risk of crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify the vehicle manufacturers that purchased the affected chassis, and Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valves, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19012.

Reported: 2019-07-12 (July 12, 2019)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Emergency Response Gladiator and MetroStar vehicles equipped with an independent front suspension and Koni shocks. The front shocks may separate from their upper mount on the front suspension. The loose shock may contact and damage the steering gear housing, possibly causing a steering fluid leak and a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install new shock bolts, and shims if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19015.

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.

Reported: 2019-12-10 (December 10, 2019)

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion Body Works) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Spartan Gladiator & Metro Star emergency response chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may result in an extended stopping distance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: If additional distance is needed to stop the vehicle, there would be an increased risk of crash.

Remedy: Marion Body Works will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valve, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2019. Owners may contact Marion Body Works customer service at 1-715-754-5261 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008.

Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)

SVI Trucks is recalling certain vehicles built on 2019 Spartan Emergency Response MetroStar chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may result in an increased stopping distance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: A longer distance needed to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valves, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 or SVI Trucks customer service at 1-888-784-1112.

Reported: 2019-12-30 (December 30, 2019)

Toyne Inc. (Toyne) is recalling certain vehicles built on 2018-2019 Spartan Emergency Response Metro Star and Gladiator chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may require an extended distance in order to stop the vehicle.

Consequence: An increase in stopping distance increases the risk of crash.

Remedy: Toyne will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the valves, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2020. Owners may contact Toyne customer service at 1-712-673-2328.

Reported: 2020-03-10 (March 10, 2020)

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fire Gladiator and MetroStar Emergency vehicles. The park brake control line may loosen and separate, possibly causing the park brake to be unintentionally applied.

Consequence: If the park brake is applied while the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle may suddenly decelerate and experience a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the fitting control line, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 20005.

Reported: 2020-03-20 (March 20, 2020)

SVI Trucks is recalling certain 2019-2020 Spartan Fire Gladiator and MetroStar Emergency Response vehicles modified by SVI Trucks. The park brake control line may loosen and possibly come out the fitting while the vehicle is in motion. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: If the air line comes out of the fitting while the vehicle is in motion, the park brake can inadvertently be applied and the vehicle could suddenly decelerate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SVI dealers will inspect and properly tighten the park brake control line, free of charge. All of the vehicles will be repaired before being delivered to customers, free of charge. Owners may contact SVI dealers customer service at 1-888-784-1112. SVI Truck's number for this recall is 20V138.

Reported: 2020-04-08 (April 8, 2020)

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion Body Works) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator and MetroStar Emergency Response chassis vehicles modified by Marion Body Works. The park brake control line may loosen and possibly come out the fitting while the vehicle is in motion.

Consequence: If the air line comes out of the fitting while the vehicle is in motion, the park brake can inadvertently be applied and the vehicle could suddenly decelerate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Marion Body Works dealers will inspect and properly tighten the park brake control line, free of charge. All of the vehicles will be repaired before being delivered to customers, free of charge. Owners may contact Marion Body Works customer service at 1-715-754-5261.