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2012 Spartan K2 problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
5

The worst 2012 Spartan K2 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

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Recalls 8

Electrical system: starter assemblyReported May 31, 2017 · 721 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V351000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control armReported March 13, 2017 · 2,783 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V160000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: antilockReported August 30, 2013 · 113 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 13V392000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: wheel bearingReported June 10, 2013 · 75 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 13V242000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported March 23, 2012 · 13 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 12V125000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported December 6, 2011 · 35 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V587000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported August 17, 2011 · 212 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V425000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported August 11, 2011 · 313 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 11V412000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 2012 Spartan K2

Defect investigations

TSE Brakes, Inc. Hill Hold RequirementsOpened April 2, 2012, closed May 25, 2012

On March 22, 2012, Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) notified the federal safety agency that it had decided a defect exists in 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 (FMVSS) Number 121, Air Brake Systems because they do not meet the park brake and draw bar requirements.The park brake may not hold the vehicle in place and if the vehicle moves, injury or property damage could occur without warning.the federal safety agency assigned recall number 12V‑125 to this matter.Spartan reported that the manufacturer of the noncompliant brake chambers was TSE Brakes, Inc. (TSE).On April 9, 2012, the Recall Management Division (RMD) mailed an information request (IR) letter to TSE requesting a list of purchasers who received the noncompliant brake chambers, and also inquiring if TSE sold any affected brake chambers in the replacement market.In a letter dated April 20, 2012, TSE responded to RMD?s IR letter by explaining their non-concurrence with Spartan?s noncompliance decision. TSE noted that, to date, Spartan has provided three draw bar test results.The first test, dated November 29, 2011, ?significantly failed? while two tests dated February 7, 2012, ?significantly passed.?TSE concluded that these results ?ruled out the TSE actuator as an explanation? due to the actuators displaying the same output force yet having different test results.Also, TSE made note that there is no FMVSS requirement for actuator performance as FMVSS 121 compliance only relates to vehicle braking performance.The actuators used on Spartan?s 13 recalled chassis, according to TSE, meet industry standards per SAE J2318.TSE noted that these brake chambers are ?produced in Mexico and shipped to the U.S. for Spartan Motors only.?Irrespective of the differing views between TSE and Spartan, all chassis that could have been impacted by the reported noncompliance have been recalled.This EQ is closed.

EQ12004

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Spartan K2 5

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

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Questions about the 2012 Spartan K2

Is the 2012 Spartan K2 reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2012 Spartan K2.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Spartan K2?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2012 Spartan K2 have?

8 recalls, covering electrical system, suspension and service brakes, air.

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