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2008 Spartan Metrostar Recalls & Complaints

12

open safety recalls on record

Serious

2 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.00 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Serious18V691000

Equipment

If the EMS cabinets become loose during a crash, the cabinets may become projectiles, raises the risk of injury.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect size fasteners with the correct fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 30, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18030.

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2001-2019 Spartan MetroStar and Gladiator emergency vehicles. The mounting fasteners for the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) cabinets may not be the correct size, allowing the cabinets to break free from their mountings in the event of a crash.

Serious18V350000

Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Reservoir/Tank

loss of air to the air brake system could raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and install a pressure protection valve, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18017.

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2001-2018 Spartan Gladiator, Diamond, MetroStar, and Advantage emergency response vehicles. The affected vehicles may not be equipped with a pressure protection valve installed between the air reservoir and the lubrication control module. If the air line were to become disconnected between the lubrication control module and the air reservoir, a loss of air to the air brake system could occur. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Serious19V674000

Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Reservoir/Tank

Without the control line being pressure-protected, in the event the control line is severed, air may suddenly be lost from the service reservoir system, causing the brakes to apply unexpectedly, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the control lines, rerouting them into the auxiliary air reservoir as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19017.

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2004-2020 Emergency Response Gladiator and Spartan vehicles equipped with a pneumatically-controlled automatic tire chain system. The air pressure control lines may not be pressure-protected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Serious19V828000

Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Reservoir/Tank

Without the control line being pressure-protected, in the event the control line is severed, air may suddenly be lost from the service reservoir system, causing the brakes to apply unexpectedly, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Marion Body Works will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the control lines, rerouting them into the auxiliary air reservoir as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 22, 2019. Owners may contact Marion Body Works customer service at 1-715-754-5261 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008.

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion Body Works) is recalling certain 2005-2020 Emergency Response Gladiator and Metrostar vehicles equipped with pneumatically-controlled automatic tire chain systems. The air pressure control lines may not be pressure-protected.

Serious17V294000

Parking Brake

If the operator follows the incorrect directions and believes that the supplemental front park brake is applied when it is not, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners and supply a new actuator control knob with the correct directions, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 17009.

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Gladiator and MetroStar emergency response vehicles equipped with a supplemental park brake system (SPBS). The directions to activate the SPBS incorrectly state to "Pull" the actuation knob, when it should say "Push."

Serious15V547000

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices

If the mirror lens comes loose and and falls out, the driver's ability to see objects in the mirror would be impaired, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan cutomer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15016.

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, to August 6, 2010. The affected vehicles have mirror lenses that may fall off due to vibration.

Serious14V623000

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines

If the engine coolant mixes with the transmission fluid, the transmission may not shift properly, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners and dealers will install a new transmission fluid cooler, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on November 25, 2014 and will also be mailed a second letter when parts are available. Parts should be available in mid to late January 2015. The recall began on February 9, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14017.

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2013 Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured November 29, 2005, to June 19, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the transmission fluid cooler may fail, allowing the engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid.

Serious15V448000

Tires:Valve

If the valve stems rub against the brake caliper, a hole may develop causing the tire to deflate suddenly, raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front wheel valve stems and replace any that have wear marks, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15012.

Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency response vehicles manufactured January 18, 2007 to February 9, 2015. The front wheels of the affected vehicles have valve stems that may rub against the brake caliper.

Serious11V500000

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

THIS MIGHT CAUSE THE ESC TO PERCEIVE AN OVER STEERING SITUATION AND THEREFORE APPLY THE FRONT AXLE OUTER WHEEL SERVICE BRAKE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PERCEIVED TO BE STABLE BY THE ESC.

Remedy & full details

SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008 OPTION 5.

SPARTAN CHASSIS (SPARTAN), IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 DIAMOND, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 FURION ALONG WITH MODEL YEAR 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010 FURION R/T, MODEL YEAR 2007-2012 GLADIATOR, MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 METROSTAR AND MODEL YEAR 2012 SPARTAN FORCE EMERGENCY RESCUE TRANSPORT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 12, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2011. THE ESC MODULE MAY CAUSE THE ESC SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE UNNECESSARILY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN A PARTICULAR MANNER ON CERTAIN UNIQUE ROAD CONDITIONS AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SLIP ANGLE CALCULATION BY THE ESC MODULE.

Serious10V209000

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION TO A SELECTED WHEEL MAY CAUSE THE DRIVE TO TRY AND OVER CORRECT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & full details

SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS WILL PERFORM THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008, OPTION 5.

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 GLADIATOR, METROSTAR, FURION, AND DIAMOND FIRE APPARATUS AND AMBULANCE CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2008 THROUGH JANUARY 25, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC). IN CERTAIN CASES, THE ESC MAY INADVERTENTLY INTERPRET VEHICLE INSTABILITY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE MAY BE STABLE, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE INTERVENTION OF BRAKE ACTIVATION TO A SELECTED WHEEL.

Serious10V052000

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage

THE SEAT BELT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CAB DURING A VEHICLE CRASH AND FAIL TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy & full details

SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-4277 - Option 1.

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 ADVANTAGE, BARRON, GLADIATOR, METROSTAR, MOUNTAIN STAR, AND TR-1 FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS CABS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 27, 2003 AND NOVEMBER 17, 2009 AND BELTS SOLD TO VARIOUS VEHICLE ALTERS. CERTAIN SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Serious10V210000

Suspension:Front

COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BELL CRANK SUPPORT BRACKET(S) MAY CAUSE STEERING IMPAIRMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy & full details

SPARTAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 26, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPARTAN AT SPARTAN CHASSIS AT 1-800-543-4277 - OPTION 1.

SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 GLADIATOR, METROSTAR, ADVANTAGE, AND DIAMOND FIRE APPARATUS CHASSIS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2007 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSIONS SUPPLIED BY RIDEWELL CORPORATION. BELL CRANK SUPPORT BRACKETS INSTALLED ON THE SUSPENSION CRADLE MAY CRACK, OR SEPARATE, FROM THE MAIN STRUCTURE (CRADLE ASSEMBLY). CERTAIN WELDS THAT ATTACH THE BELL CRANK SUPPORT BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED DURING THE WELDMENT OPERATION OF THE SUSPENSION CRADLE.

Complaint volume

2 this model-year 9 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

0Crashes
0Fires
0Injuries
0Deaths

Across 2 complaints. Severity Index 0.00.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Unknown Or Other1 · 50%Power Train1 · 50%
  1. Unknown Or Other — 1 reports
  2. Power Train — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2008 · 2017 (13)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.