The defect
SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 GLADIATOR, METROSTAR, ADVANTAGE, AND DIAMOND FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONS SUPPLIED BY RIDEWELL CORPORATION. BELL CRANK SUPPORT BRACKETS INSTALLED ON THE SUSPENSION CRADLE MAY CRACK, OR SEPARATE, FROM THE MAIN STRUCTURE (CRADLE ASSEMBLY). CERTAIN WELDS THAT ATTACH THE BELL CRANK SUPPORT BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED DURING THE WELDMENT OPERATION OF THE SUSPENSION CRADLE.
The risk
A COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BELL CRANK SUPPORT BRACKET(S) MAY CAUSE STEERING IMPAIRMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy
SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 26, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-4277 - OPTION 1.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Spartan Advantage | 2007 |
| Spartan Diamond | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2008, 2009 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 Advantage | 2007 | 0 | 6 |
| Spartan Diamond | 2006 | 0 | 5 |
| Spartan Diamond | 2007 | 0 | 6 |
| Spartan Diamond | 2008 | 0 | 7 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2006 | 0 | 12 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2007 | 0 | 16 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2008 | 0 | 21 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2009 | 0 | 23 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2008 | 1 | 12 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2009 | 0 | 15 |
Other suspension recalls in 2010
21 of the 647 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2010 concerned the suspension; SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. filed 50 campaigns in all.
| 10V656000 24 Dec 2010 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC |
| 10V643000 17 Dec 2010 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 10V640000 16 Dec 2010 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 10V580000 10 Nov 2010 | VANGUARD NATIONAL TRAILER CORPORATION |
| 10V545000 5 Nov 2010 | UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY |
| 10V501000 21 Oct 2010 | GREAT DANE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
| 10V506000 12 Oct 2010 | HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD |
| 10V488000 8 Oct 2010 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2010