2015 Spartan K3 problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 K2, and K3 vehicles manufactured November 19, 2013, to May 7, 2015. Power could be lost in the vehicle's air suspension system.

Risk: A failure of the air suspension system could result in a loss of some vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install a independent electrical circuit that will supply power to the control module, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15018.

Defect: Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 K2, K3 and MM chassis manufactured October 2, 2013, to April 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fasteners that attach the stay rod (v-rod) to the rear drive axle may not have been installed with thread locker or tightened in the correct sequence.

Risk: If the fasteners come loose, the stay rod may disconnect from the rear axle, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fasteners using thread lock, tightening them in the proper sequence and with the required torque values, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15010.

Defect: Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2015 K3 chassis manufactured February 28, 2014, to October 21, 2014. In the affected chassis, the tag axle suspension hangers may move allowing the tag axle assembly to shift off center.

Risk: If the tag axle moves off center, vehicle handling may suddenly be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will weld the tag axle suspension hangers to the main frame, free of charge. The recall began on April 17, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15001.

Defect: Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2015 K3 Chassis manufactured November 22, 2013, to October 28, 2014. The steering slip shaft, located between the steering column and steering gear, may prematurely wear.

Risk: Premature wear of the steering slip shaft may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected slip shaft, free of charge. The recall began on February 3, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14022.

Defect: 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.

Fix: 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.

Defect: 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.

Fix: 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.