The worst 2013 Spartan K3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 9
Electrical system: starter assembly
- 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 arm
- 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
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V676000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- Spartan Motors (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Spartan K3 and MM motorhome chassis manufactured September 21, 2006, to March 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials.
- Risk
- If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Spartan will notify the motorhome manufacturers that purchased the affected chassis, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1‑517‑543‑6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 16014. Note: This recall supersedes 15V‑554.
Recall number 16V313000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Gladiator, K2, K3, MetroStar, and MM motorhome and emergency response chassis cabs manufactured November 28, 2012, to October 15, 2013. The castle nuts for the steering linkage may loosen, allowing the steering linkage to separate.
- Risk
- If the steering linkage separates, a loss of steering control would occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the castle nuts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1‑517‑543‑6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14023.
Recall number 14V812000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Gladiator, DR, K2, K3, MetroStar, MM, and NVS vehicles manufactured December 14, 2011, to October 21, 2014, equipped with certain Wabco Quick Release Valves with Double Check. In the affected valves, the rubber diaphragm may be damaged by sharp edges on the valve seat ribs, reducing the available air pressure in the air tanks.
- Risk
- The reduced air pressure levels may reduce braking performance and/or the parking brakes could reapply, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the valve, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1‑517‑543‑6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14021.
Recall number 14V747000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- Spartan Motors Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 K2, K3, MetroStar, and MM motor homes and one emergency response chassis. Castle nuts for the steering linkage ball joint fasteners, which mount to bell cranks, may be loose. If the castle nuts become completely loose, the steering linkage may separate from the bell cranks without warning.
- Risk
- This may cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the castle nuts and tighten them as necessary. The recall began on December 9, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1‑517‑543‑6400. Spartan's recall campaign number is 13025.
Recall number 13V531000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: wheel bearing
- 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, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor
- What is wrong
- Spartan Motors Chassis is recalling certain model year 2013 K2, K3, and MM motorhome chassis, manufactured July 23, 2012, through November 7, 2012 and equipped with an independent front suspension that has the ABS modulator valve mounted in a forward position. The front brake hoses or the ABS sensor cable may be damaged as a result of contact with the swaybar.
- Risk
- Damaged brake hoses will result in insufficient air being applied to the front brake chambers. Lack of air to the front brake may increase stopping distances. Damage to the ABS sensor cable may disable the ABS. Either condition may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2012. Owners may contact Spartan at 1‑517‑543‑6400.
Recall number 12V565000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Spartan K3 5
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This service bulletin is about the power steering fluid level sensor could exhibit leaks where sensor...
- This service bulletin provides instructions on how to apply appropriate torque to rear suspension...
- Spartan motors: some motor home chassis are experiencing a fuel tank deformity and fuel sender by showing...
- Spartan motors: hadley control module loss of power due to an independent electrical circuit that supplies...
- Spartan: on certain motorhome chassis, the hadley air level system module may not be activated by the...
Compare the 2013 Spartan K3
Other model years
Questions about the 2013 Spartan K3
Is the 2013 Spartan K3 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2013 Spartan K3.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Spartan K3?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2013 Spartan K3 have?
9 recalls, covering electrical system, suspension and steering.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 Spartan K3?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history