Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 MM and K2 motorhome chassis manufactured January 20, 2003, to May 16, 2005. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.
Safety risk
A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 15022.
Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 K2, K3 and MM motorhomes manufactured March 17, 2003, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may separate from the fan drive while the fan is spinning.
Safety risk
If the engine area is open and the cooling fan is operating and detaches, someone nearby may be injured.
Manufacturer remedy
Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fan and fan drive system, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on October 29, 2015. The recall began on October 29, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15014.
SPARTAN IS RECALLING 2,621 MY 2005-2009 K2, MY 2006-2009 MG, AND MY 2007-2009 MM MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH PUTNAM HITCHES. CERTAIN TRAILER HITCHES MAY FRACTURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE TRAILER.
Safety risk
SUSPECT HITCHES MAY DEVELOP FRACTURES AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION MAY OCCUR, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PEDESTRIAN HARM.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 21, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND FIRE TRUCKS, THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A SPACER WITH INCORRECT DIMENSIONS. A SPACER OF INSUFFICIENT HEIGHT ALLOWS FOR EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE RETURN FUNCTION OF THE RECIRCULATION BALLS AND, AS A CONSEQUENCE, THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE CIRCULATORY FUNCTION OF THESE BALLS.
Safety risk
IF THE FAILURE MODE IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, THE FINAL RESULT WILL BE INTERRUPTION IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE STEERED AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400.
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE I-SHAFT IS THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE STEERING GEAR. AT THE NON-WELDED SIDE OF THE I-SHAFT THERE IS A UNIVERSAL JOINT. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FORK SHAFT CONNECTION COULD BE LOST.
Safety risk
DRIVERS WILL LOSE STEERABILITY OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE I-SHAFT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400.
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NGI AIR PRESSURE GAUGES LOCATED ON THE DASH PANEL IS GIVING A FALSE READING.
Safety risk
THIS MAY CAUSE THE PARK BRAKE TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING, THUS THROWING THE PASSENGER FORWARD, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL USE A JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING A 33 OHM RESISTOR WHICH WILL SHIFT THE RESISTANCE CURVE OF THE AIR PRESSURE SENDER TO MATCH THE ALARM POINT OF THE CURRENT GAUGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400.
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Manufacturer
SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC.
Vehicles affected
171
Reported to NHTSA
2004-09-09
Owners notified
2004-08-07
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR ENGINES, THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS MAY RETURN THE PEDAL SHAFT TO THE HOME POSITION WHILE NOT FULLY RETURNING THE POTENTIOMETER KEY TO ITS HOME POSITION.
Safety risk
IN A NEUTRAL OR NO LOAD SITUATION: THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE IDLE SPEED UNTIL IT REACES FULL GOVERNED RPM. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL TO ANY GEAR OVER 900 ENGINE RPM. IN GEAR OR UNDER LOAD: THE ENGINE MAY NOT RETURN TO 725 RPM (NORMAL IDLE) WHICH WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL EFFORT BY THE SERVICE BRAKES TO OVERCOME THE ADDITIONAL ENGINE RPM DURING BRAKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2004, BY PHONE CALLS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 517-543-6400.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly
1
78,000 mi
Steering
1
—
Steering: linkages
1
—
Structure: body
1
78,000 mi
Visibility: windshield
1
14,000 mi
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.