The defect
Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan Chassis) is recalling certain model year 2002 MetroStar, 2009 Gladiator, and 2013 Gladiator emergency response vehicles equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
The risk
If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.
The remedy
Spartan Chassis will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Chassis' number for this recall is 13026.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Spartan Gladiator | 2009, 2013 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2002 |
Components: SEAT BELTS
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 Gladiator | 2009 | 0 | 23 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2013 | 0 | 29 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2002 | 0 | 4 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2013
22 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the seat belts; Spartan Motors, Inc. filed 41 campaigns in all.
| 13V631000 19 Dec 2013 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 13V630000 19 Dec 2013 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 13V619000 29 Nov 2013 | Mack Trucks, Inc. |
| 13V618000 29 Nov 2013 | Volvo Trucks North America |
| 13V606000 29 Nov 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V601000 29 Nov 2013 | E-One Incorporated |
| 13V604000 29 Nov 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V620000 29 Nov 2013 | Prevost Cars, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013