The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPSION, WHICH UTILIZES A NORGREN VALVE AND NEWAY PILOT AIR CONTROL VALVES. THE PURPOSE OF THE NORGREN VALVE IS TO EXHAUST THE AIR SUSPENSION WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE VEHICLE JACKS USED TO LEVEL THE VEHICLE FOR OVERNIGHT PARKING. THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE IS USED TO SPEED UP THE TIMING OF THE AIR EXHAUST. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN A DYNAMIC CONDITION, THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE CAN SEND SPIKES OF UP TO 230 PSI. THIS EXCEEDS THE PRESSURE RATING OF THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE CAUSING THE VALVE TO FAIL AND ALLOW THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE TO EXHAUST UNCONTROLLABILITY.
The risk
IF THERE IS AN AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE, IT COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIR PLUMBING TO REMOVE THE THREE (3) NEWAY PILOT VALVES (TWO FRONT SUSPENSION/ONE REAR SUSPENSION) FROM THE AIR SYSTEM. THE NORGREN VALVE WILL BE FULLY UTILIZED TO REPLACE THE VALVES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND A MIDLAND VALVE WILL BE USED IN THE REAR SUSPENSION.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Spartan Highlander | 1998 |
| Spartan IC | 1998 |
| Spartan IC2242 | 1998 |
| Spartan K2 | 1998 |
| Spartan K22242 | 1998 |
| Spartan MM2242 | 1997, 1998 |
| Spartan Mountain Master | 1997, 1998 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
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 Highlander | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan IC | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan IC2242 | 1998 | 0 | 3 |
| Spartan K2 | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
| Spartan K22242 | 1998 | 0 | 3 |
| Spartan MM2242 | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
| Spartan MM2242 | 1998 | 0 | 4 |
| Spartan Mountain Master | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Spartan Mountain Master | 1998 | 0 | 2 |
Other suspension recalls in 1997
30 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the suspension; SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. filed 45 campaigns in all.
| 97V196004 31 Dec 1997 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC |
| 97V239001 30 Dec 1997 | GREAT DANE TRAILERS, INC. |
| 97V196005 29 Dec 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V190004 8 Dec 1997 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
| 97V214000 1 Dec 1997 | SHOREMASTER, INC. |
| 97V190003 1 Dec 1997 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 97V190005 28 Nov 1997 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
| 97V196002 24 Nov 1997 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997