2014 Spartan MM problems

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

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

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

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

What is wrong

Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan Chassis) is recalling certain 2010-2014 model year MM motorhome chassis manufactured December 11, 2009, through January 30, 2013, and equipped with a sway bar and model 1253 front suspension. This front suspension design has increased rebound travel which may result in a binding condition of the sway bar end link which could lead to the breaking of the sway bar end links.

Risk

Broken sway bar end links may result in poor vehicle handling, or sway, which increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan Chassis will notify owners, and dealers will replace the old end links with new end links and an improved mounting, free of charge. The recall began on March 4, 2014. Customers may contact Spartan Chassis at 1‑517‑543‑6400. Spartan Chassis's number for this recall is 12012.

Recall number 14V020000 · Recall details

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

On August 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this preliminary evaluation after evaluating a Campaign Service Bulletin (CSB) 12-250-002 (the federal safety agency ID No. 10051812) issued by Spartan Chassis, Inc.The CSB related to sway bar end link failures on certain motorhome chassis manufactured between April 2, 2009 and January 14, 2013.In response to ODI's information request letter, Spartan conducted a detailed analysis of its claim data related to sway bar end link failures on the subject chassis.Spartan determined that a certain population of model MM motorhome chassis equipped with its model 1253 front suspension were experiencing an increased rate of failure.The population identified incorporated a design change that occurred in late 2009.This change increased the rebound travel of the front suspension resulting in a binding condition that could cause the sway bar end links to fail.A broken sway bar end link can potentially cause poor vehicle handling that could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.Based on the results of their analysis, Spartan decided to issue a defect notice and conduct a safety recall to replace the existing sway bar end links with new units and an improved mounting.Based on Spartan's decision to conduct a safety recall (14V‑020), ODI is closing this investigation.

PE13028