The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION CONTAINING A SPRING BEAM WITH A THICKNESS OF 1.75". THE SPRING BEAM IN THE SUSPENSION CAN FAIL CAUSING THE COLLAPSE OF THE DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION AND ALLOWING ABRUPT CONTACT OF THE TIRES WITH THE BODYWORK OF THE REAR OF THE FIRE TRUCK.
The risk
ABRUPT IMPACT WITH THE REAR TIRES MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER ACROSS THE ROAD AND IMPACT ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN THEIR LANE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy
SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE SPRING BEAM WITH A HEAVY DUTY VERSION WHICH IS 2" THICK AND REPLACE THE SHOCK ABSORBERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24, 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 SPARTAN AT 1-800-722-3025.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1995 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1996 | 2 | 1 |
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan Fire Truck | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2001
44 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the suspension; SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. filed 45 campaigns in all.
| 01V377000 11 Dec 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V363000 29 Nov 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V361000 28 Nov 2001 | GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V359000 13 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V338000 2 Nov 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V317001 22 Oct 2001 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V332000 17 Oct 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V328000 11 Oct 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001