The worst 2011 Spartan Metrostar 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 16
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V828000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V674000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V932000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V691000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V424000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V350000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V294000 · 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
Tires: valve
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V448000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 15V403000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 14V623000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Gladiator, and 2011 and 2013-2014 MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured June 15, 2011, to January 14, 2014. The affected vehicles are equipped with a pressure governor or hand throttle supplied by Fire Research Corporation (FRC). Due to an issue with the software for the pressure governor or hand throttle, the affected vehicles may experience an engine surge.
- Risk
- A surge in engine speed can cause increased water pressure at the end of a fire hose, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1‑517‑543‑6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14013.
Recall number 14V513000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V500000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- 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
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V321000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V240000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Spartan Metrostar 13
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 to replace with new height control valves for front IFS height...
- This service bulletin provides instructions for replacing galvanized nuts identified as not meeting proper...
- This service bulletin amends the previously reported service bulletin that provides instructions on how to...
- This service bulletin provides a solution for superficial cracking at the fascia seam and the main cab
- This service bulletin amends a previously submitted service bulletin (TSB17-250-005
- This service bulletin provides replacement instructions for compartment door switches that may become...
- This service bulletin provides a solution for conditions in the air bag system that
- This service bulletin provides instructions on how to remedy or replace cab lock down mounting bracket...
- This service bulletin provides instructions on installing spacers to resolve "cab clunking."
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Questions about the 2011 Spartan Metrostar
Is the 2011 Spartan Metrostar reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2011 Spartan Metrostar.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Spartan Metrostar?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2011 Spartan Metrostar have?
16 recalls, covering service brakes, air, equipment and electrical system.
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