2001 Spartan Advantage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2001 Spartan Advantage — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Advantage years?

Advantage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Advantage years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Spartan Advantage problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Tires & Wheels	1	100%	new

Does the 2001 Spartan Advantage have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V350000BrakesMay 29, 2018 · 309 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

10V052000Seat BeltsFebruary 5, 2010 · 650 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

THE SEAT BELT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE CAB DURING A VEHICLE CRASH AND FAIL TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. THIS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

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.

02V004009Speed ControlSeptember 19, 2002 · 535 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.

Consequence

IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

WILLIAMS CONTROLS IS HANDLING THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PEDAL. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WILLIAMS CONTROL AT 1-503-684-8600 OR SPARTAN AT 1-800-722-3025.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE TRAVELING 30MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR REPLACEMENT SPARTAN ADVANTAGE TIRES, SIZE 21560R16 WITH ONE HUNDRED MILES ON THEM SIDEWALL BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE LABELED AS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 11, 2000

2001 Spartan Advantage — common questions

Is the 2001 Spartan Advantage reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 Spartan Advantage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Spartan Advantage. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2001 compare to other Advantage years?

What are the most common 2001 Spartan Advantage problems?

Does the 2001 Spartan Advantage have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2001 Spartan Advantage — common questions

Is the 2001 Spartan Advantage reliable?

Does the 2001 Spartan Advantage have recalls?

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