2018 Spartan K4 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (4)
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2021-07-29 · campaign 21V589000 · 2,727 vehicles
Defect: Shyft Group is recalling certain 2018-2022 K1, K2, K3, and K4 Spartan RV Chassis. The instrument cluster may intermittently go blank while the vehicle is in motion.
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display may be missing critical information such as the vehicle's speed and warning lights, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Shyft Group will update the control module software, and reroute and secure the duct work, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 15, 2021. Owners may contact Shyft Group customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Shyft Group's number for this recall is 21-13.
Service Brakes 2019-05-13 · campaign 19V360000 · 92 vehicles
Defect: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, and K4 emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may result in an extended stopping distance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: An increase in stopping distance increases the risk of crash.
Fix: Spartan will notify the vehicle manufacturers that purchased the affected chassis, and Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valves, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19012.
Fuel System, Diesel 2017-06-27 · campaign 17V403000 · 28 vehicles
Defect: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2017-2018 K3 and K4 motor home chassis and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs equipped with Cummins ISX 15L engines. These engines have a fuel pump whose drive gear could possibly slip on its drive shaft, causing a fuel pump function loss, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Spartan will notify the final stage manufacturers that used these chassis or the vehicle purchaser, and Cummins dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began on July 12, 2017. Owners may contact Cummins customer service at 1-800-286-6467 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 17015.
Suspension:front:control Arm 2017-03-13 · campaign 17V160000 · 2,783 vehicles
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.
Service bulletins (13)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Interior Lighting 2023-12-21 · TSB23-540-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about certain vehicles equipped with 92 inch or longer roof mounted light bars that could experience fracture of the light bar mounting brackets, as well as provides instructions to replace the light bar bracket with improved bracket design.
Steering 2023-12-11 · TSB23-260-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about the power steering fluid level sensor could exhibit leaks where sensor seals against power steering reservoir and provides instructions on replacing current power steering level sensor with improved sensor design.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2022-09-29 · TSB22-270-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a remedy for a loose drive belt on the engine in the event of premature wear.
Equipment 2022-07-14 · TSB22-270-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles subject to this service bulletin may be equipped with an engine cooling fan drive belt that could be loose.
Forward Collision Avoidance 2021-06-03 · TP-18032 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is wabco/zf's document that provides instruction on how to reprogram the cms radar.
Forward Collision Avoidance 2021-06-03 · TSB21-320-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides instructions on how to reduce the potential for perceived false positive activation of the collision mitigation system.
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.