1997 Spartan Gladiator Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V118000
Manufacturer: Spartan Motors USA
Manufacturer Campaign Number: SPEC 98049
Manufactured Begin Date: October 14th, 1986
Manufactured End Date: October 9th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: November 29th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS. THESE FIRE TRUCKS ARE ALL 4-DOOR MODELS WHICH CONTAIN DUAL, FORWARD FACING PASSENGER SEATS. THE HARDWARE UTILIZED TO MOUNT THE SEAT BOX TO THE CAB FLOOR AND TO THE BACKWALL STRUCTURE, AND ALSO TO MOUNT THE TYPE 1 SEAT BELT SYSTEMS, WAS INADEQUATE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NOS. 207/210, ""SEATING SYSTEMS" AND "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence Summary:
THE SEAT BOX MOUNTING/RESTRAINING HARDWARE CAN LOOSEN OR FAIL ALLOWING THE SEAT/SEAT BOX ASSEMBLY TO BREAK FREE OF ITS MOUNTING TO THE CAB FLOOR AND/OR BACKWALL WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THOSE SEATS.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BOX MOUNTING FASTENERS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 29, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-722-3025.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V286000
Manufacturer: Spartan Motors USA
Manufactured Begin Date: February 9th, 1994
Manufactured End Date: September 10th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: August 16th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS. IF THE DRIVER ACCELERATES IN A TURN ABOVE 20 MPH FORWARD SPEED, THE LOCK PIN IS ACTUATED AND CAUSES THE AXLE TO RESIST RETURNING TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION AFTER THE TURN IS COMPLETED BECAUSE THE LOCK PIN IS BINDING ON THE CLAMP PLATE SURFACE.

Consequence Summary:
ENGAGING THE LOCK PIN IN THE LCMP PLATE HOLE AT HIGH FORWARD SPEEDS CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE LOCK PIN AND/OR THE CLAMP PLATE HOLE. LANE CHANGES AND OTHER VEHICLE MANEUVERS WILL GREATLY INCREASE CONTACT FREQUENCY AND CAUSES WEAR, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAG AXLES ON THESE FIRE TRUCKS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 16, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-722-3025.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V109000
Manufacturer: Spartan Motors USA
Manufactured Begin Date: April 14th, 1997
Manufactured End Date: June 17th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: October 7th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TELMA RETARDER AND WABCO VERSION 'D' ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). THE ABS TEST MODE WIRING WAS INCORRECTLY WIRED THROUGH THE CONSOLE RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO READ AND CLEAR THE BLINK CODES ON THESE FIRE TRUCKS.

Consequence Summary:
THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO READ OR CLEAR THESE CODES FROM THE CONSOLE.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL PERFORM A WIRING CHANGE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 7, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V077000
Manufacturer: Spartan Motors USA
Manufactured Begin Date: February 14th, 1996
Manufactured End Date: June 24th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: May 19th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS WITH OCCUPANT SIDE ENTRY DOORS. A DIFFICULTY IN LATCHING THE SIDE ENTRY DOORS TO THE FULL CLOSED POSITION, AND/OR, THE DOORS MAY RELEASE TO THE SECONDARY LATCH POSITION. ALSO LOOSE RIVETS CAN CAUSE THE LATCH CONTROL MECHANISM TO BIND NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO LATCH PROPERLY WHEN SHUT.

Consequence Summary:
THE CAB DOOR COULD UNLATCH FROM ITS PRIMARY LATCH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN UNASSISTED TO THE SECONDARY LATCH POSITION.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE LATCH AND ACTUATOR ON THE DOORS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 19, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).