The defect
Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Emergency Response Gladiator and Metro Star vehicles built into fire apparatus and equipped with tandem axles, drum brakes at the rear axles and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Vehicles with this configuration may have a delay in their brake release, preventing them from complying with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
The risk
A delay in the brakes releasing may hinder vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will re-route a portion of the brake system to bring the vehicle into compliance, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18038.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Spartan Gladiator | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
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 Gladiator | 2018 | 0 | 13 |
| Spartan Gladiator | 2019 | 0 | 14 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2011 | 0 | 15 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2012 | 0 | 15 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2013 | 0 | 21 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2014 | 0 | 21 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2015 | 0 | 19 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2016 | 0 | 11 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2017 | 1 | 13 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2018 | 0 | 13 |
| Spartan Metrostar | 2019 | 0 | 14 |
Other service brakes, air recalls in 2018
29 of the 912 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2018 concerned the service brakes, air; Spartan Motors USA filed 55 campaigns in all.
| 18V865000 5 Dec 2018 | Elgin Sweeper Company Inc. |
| 18V859000 4 Dec 2018 | Newmar Corporation |
| 18V821000 20 Nov 2018 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 18V780000 5 Nov 2018 | Thor Motor Coach |
| 18V770000 31 Oct 2018 | Forest River, Inc. |
| 18V750000 23 Oct 2018 | Proterra |
| 18V703000 5 Oct 2018 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 18V702000 5 Oct 2018 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2018