Spartan Mountain Master recalls

What is wrong

On certain motor homes, the brake lights become inoperable when the fuse is blown upon activation of the auxiliary brake. At the time, the auxiliary brake, the coolant level sensor, and auxiliary brake 'brake light activation' cease to function, and the 'check' engine light illuminates.

Risk

A loss of brake lights could result in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will relocate and control the brake light power source free of charge. The recall began on february 27, 2006. Owners may contact spartan at 1‑800‑543‑4277, option 1.

Recall number 06V035000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motor homes, the harness and cables were routed incorrectly. Sharp casting edges of the transmission lifting ear cut into the cables or the wire harness.

Risk

Smoke may occur which may not be visible to the driver and an electrical short may occur which could result in a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will reroute the harness and cables away from the transmission lifting ear, avoiding the casted part which was the source of chaffing. The recall began on july 26, 2005. Owners may contact spartan at 517‑543‑6400.

Recall number 05V273000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motorhomes, the angle of the hoses from the hydraulic pump could contact the positive stud on the starter.

Risk

This could result in close contact with the starter and cause ignition of hydraulic fluid.

Remedy

Dealers will replace on vehicles with cummins isl engines and 39mt delco starters at least one of the 45 degree fittings with a 90 degree fitting and also replace the hose assembly. On isl and isc engines with 42mt delco starter, dealers will change one fitting at the rear of the hydraulic pump and re-route a hose. Owner notification began january 13, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact spartan at 1‑517‑543‑6400.

Recall number 03V517000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motorhomes equipped with tuthill independent front suspensions, the defect is insufficient tightening torque of the steering knuckle carrier bolt that may result in separation of the steering knuckle from one of the control arms.

Risk

Should the steering knuckle carrier separate from the control arm, the operator could loose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.

Remedy

Tuthill will notify its customers and provide a retrofit kit p/n k704627 free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact tuthill transport technologies at 800‑225‑7824 (ext. #390) or spartan at 517‑543‑6400.

Recall number 03V202000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motor homes and fire trucks equipped with electronic throttle control/accelerator pedals supplied by williams controls industries, the weld attaching the clevis to the plate has insufficient penetration and could allow the clevis to separate from the plate.

Risk

If the clevis separated from the plate while the vehicle was in use, the vehicle would return to idle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Williams controls is handling the replacement of this pedal. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact williams control at 1‑503‑684‑8600 or spartan at 1‑800‑722‑3025.

Recall number 02V004009 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motor homes and fire trucks equipped with meritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (ABS) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.

Risk

Bolts torqued below specification will not reliably prevent air leakage at the affected ABS valve package interface joints once the component begins normal vehicle operation. If air leaks develop at any of the ABS valve package interface joints, brake system pressure reductions could occur during braking or normal operation with units equipped with the traction control option, potentially extending stopping distances, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Meritor wabco will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact meritor wabco at 859‑746‑5956.

Recall number 02V018004 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: motor homes equipped with cummins diesel engines. The internal front bushing can spin, causing damage to the air compressor, and possibly to the spindle drive at the rear face of the air compressor which is used to provide power to the vehicle hydraulic pump. Failure of the air compressor's spindle drive could lead to loss of power assist if the hydraulic pump ceases to operate.

Risk

Without power assist, the vehicle becomes very difficult to turn and could possibly result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Cummins will notify spartan customers and replace the compressor free of charge. Owner notification began march 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cummins customer assistance center 1‑800‑343‑7357.

Recall number 01V111001 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: motor homes. The fuel fill vent was not long enough when installed into the fuel tank to allow air to pass through the vent holes, creating a back splash of fuel.

Risk

Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the present fuel fill vent with a longer stem allowing the proper amount of air flow.

Recall number 98V174000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: class a motor home chassis equipped with independent front suspsion, which utilizes a norgren valve and neway pilot air control valves. The purpose of the norgren valve is to exhaust the air suspension when the driver activates the vehicle jacks used to level the vehicle for overnight parking. The neway pilot valve is used to speed up the timing of the air exhaust. When the vehicle is in a dynamic condition, the air system pressure can send spikes of up to 230 psi. This exceeds the pressure rating of the neway pilot valve causing the valve to fail and allow the air system pressure to exhaust uncontrollability.

Risk

If there is an air suspension failure, it could lead to vehicle handling problems and a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy

Dealers will modify the air plumbing to remove the three (3) neway pilot valves (two front suspension/one rear suspension) from the air system. The norgren valve will be fully utilized to replace the valves in the front suspension and a midland valve will be used in the rear suspension.

Recall number 97V135000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The eco-cruise actuator can bind the throttle.

Risk

If the actuator binds, engine speed may not decrease to the level anticipated by the operator, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Remedy

Dealers will remove these actuators until new or remanufactured units can be supplied.

Recall number 96V201000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The draglinks have been equipped with an anti-tilt seal on the pitman end that can affect the taper fit of the ball stud taper into the pitman arm. The recommended torque on the stud nut does not overcome the compression of the anti-tilt seal.

Risk

This condition can cause a loosening of the joint and ultimate separation resulting in loss of steering.

Remedy

Dealers will replace washers with 90 degree flanges with washers having a 45 degree flange and sandwich the rubber bushing in the anti-tilt seal. The flanges allow the bushing to properly expand. If a body has been completed on the chassis, the pitman arm will also be replaced.

Recall number 96V081000 · Recall details

What is wrong

These solenoids can fail to operate or pass current. These solenoids are used to turn the power to the ignition bus bar(s) on the power panel(s) on and off.

Risk

Failure of a solenoid will cause the set of controlled devices not to function. Some of these devices are: cruise control, back-up lamp, anti-lock brake electr0nic control unit power; turn signals; heater/ defroster, and/or windshield wipers.

Remedy

Dealers will replace these defective solenoids with an "automotive controls company" solenoid.

Recall number 96V072000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Intermittent disruption of the functions controlled by the steering wheel center touch pad can occur caused by electrical shortage inside the steering wheel assembly. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 104, "windhsield wiping and washing systems;" and no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment."

Risk

Consequence of non-compliance: this condition can cause improper operation of the functions controlled by the touch pad. The function (1) fails to operate; (2) operates intermittently; or (3) operates unexpectedly, I.e. A function comes on without being switched on. Any of these could distract a driver increasing the potential for an accident.

Remedy

Dealers will repair the steering wheel center control assemblies to eliminate the electrical shorting.

Recall number 96V014000 · Recall details

What is wrong

When in operation, the pre-heater requires good engine ground. However, the alternators are not grounded through the case, limiting the ground for engine electrical components. The pre-heater amperage can then ground to the steel braided air compressor hose which is secured in a rubber lined clip. In some circumstances, the clip can contact the frame rail causing an arc.

Risk

This condition can cause a hole to be burned through the air line, preventing the air compressor from delivering sufficient air pressure to the braking system reducing brake capability and increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Remedy

Dealers will install a 6 gauge ground cable between the engine and the existing starter ground cable located inside the frame rail.

Recall number 95V064000 · Recall details