The 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.
The risk
A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Spartan Gladiator | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Spartan K2 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Spartan K3 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Spartan K4 | 2017, 2018 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2016, 2017 |
| Spartan MM | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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 | 2011 | 0 | 26 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2012 | 0 | 24 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2013 | 0 | 29 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2014 | 2 | 28 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2015 | 0 | 26 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2016 | 0 | 14 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2017 | 0 | 15 |
| Spartan K2 | 2012 | 0 | 8 |
| Spartan K2 | 2013 | 1 | 8 |
| Spartan K2 | 2014 | 0 | 6 |
| Spartan K2 | 2015 | 0 | 5 |
| Spartan K2 | 2016 | 0 | 4 |
| Spartan K2 | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| Spartan K2 | 2018 | 0 | 5 |
| Spartan K3 | 2011 | 0 | 9 |
| Spartan K3 | 2012 | 2 | 8 |
| Spartan K3 | 2013 | 0 | 9 |
| Spartan K3 | 2014 | 0 | 7 |
| Spartan K3 | 2015 | 0 | 9 |
| Spartan K3 | 2016 | 0 | 5 |
| Spartan K3 | 2017 | 0 | 7 |
| Spartan K3 | 2018 | 0 | 6 |
| Spartan K4 | 2017 | 0 | 2 |
| Spartan K4 | 2018 | 0 | 4 |
| Spartan MM | 2011 | 0 | 9 |
| Spartan MM | 2012 | 0 | 9 |
| Spartan MM | 2013 | 0 | 9 |
| Spartan MM | 2014 | 0 | 6 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2016 | 0 | 11 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2017 | 1 | 13 |
Other suspension recalls in 2017
42 of the 810 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2017 concerned the suspension; Spartan Motors USA filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 17V800000 13 Dec 2017 | East Manufacturing Corp. |
| 17V727000 17 Nov 2017 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 17V703000 8 Nov 2017 | Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. |
| 17V693000 2 Nov 2017 | REV Recreation Group |
| 17V651000 16 Oct 2017 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 17V643000 12 Oct 2017 | Keystone RV Company |
| 17V637000 11 Oct 2017 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 17V577000 20 Sept 2017 | Hyundai Motor America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2017