2020 Spartan K2 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Diesel (2) · Electrical System (1)
Safety recalls (5)
Suspension:critical Fasteners 2021-10-05 · campaign 21V776000 · 660 vehicles
Defect: Shyft Group is recalling certain 2020-2022 Spartan RV Chassis K1 and K2 recreational vehicles. The rear suspension mounting fasteners that attach the rear-drive axle to the rear suspension may not have been tightened properly, which could allow the fasteners to loosen or break.
Risk: Loose or broken suspension fasteners can allow the rear-drive axle to shift out of place, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Shyft Group will inspect the rear suspension fasteners for damage, and replace and tighten them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Shyft Group's customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Shyft Group's number for this recall is 21-22.
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2021-05-05 · campaign 21V319000 · 2,783 vehicles
Defect: Shyft Group is recalling certain 2017-2022 Spartan RV Chassis K2 and K3 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Owners may contact Shyft Group customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Shyft Group's number for this recall is 21-11.
Steering:column:mounting Bracket 2021-02-02 · campaign 21V041000 · 548 vehicles
Defect: Shyft Group is recalling certain 2020-2021 RV Chassis K2, K3, K4 vehicles. The steering gear mounting fasteners may come loose, and fall out or interfere with other steering components.
Risk: If the steering gear mounting fasteners interfere with other steering components, difficulty in steering may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Shyft Group will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear mounting fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Shyft Group customer service at 1-800-582-3454.
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.
Service bulletins (15)
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2022-09-23 · TSB22-260-007 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document represents a procedure to remedy a condition with potential engine overheating during certain idling events. a larger capacity fan drive pump will be installed.
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 15 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-02-26 · Fuel System, Diesel · 28,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 spartan k2. the contact stated that while attempting to fuel the rv from the driver side of the rv, the fuel pump would frequently stop while pumping. the contact also stated that the water heater failed to operate as needed. the rv had been taken to several rv dealers to be inspected; however, there were no defects found. t…”
2023-05-16 · Electrical System · 15,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 spartan k2. the contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the instrument panel started to flicker. the contact stated that the low voltage battery warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the failure also occurred whenever the vehicle was started. the contact stated that the electrical failure had become a…”
2021-07-15 · Fuel System, Diesel · 5,500 mi“the contact owns a 2020 spartan k2. the contact stated while driving 68 mph, the diesel exhaust fluid (def) system failed not allowing the vehicle to exceed 6 mph. the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.