VehicleVerdict

1996 Spartan Gladiator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1996 Spartan Gladiator — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Gladiator years?

Gladiator NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted3 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 1 complaints
Gladiator NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gladiator years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Spartan Gladiator problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats1100%

Does the 1996 Spartan Gladiator have recalls?

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

99V118000Seat BeltsMay 12, 1999 · 1,753 units

Defect

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

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BOX MOUNTING FASTENERS.

99V010000Body & StructureJanuary 20, 1999 · 3,210 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS. THE CAB TILT SYSTEM CONTAINS A 12 VOLT ELECTRICAL SOLENOID ASSEMBLY AS AN ACCESSORY TO THE CAB TILT ELECTRIC MOTOR/HYDRAULIC PUMP ASSEMBLY. RAIN, SNOW, SALT SPRAY OR OTHER CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT CAN CORRODE THE SOLENOID OR "BRIDGE" THE ENERGIZING COIL WIRE TERMINAL CAUSING THE CAB TILT SYSTEM TO OPERATE UNCONTROLLABLY.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAB TILT SYSTEM TO ACTUATE WITHOUT CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HERMETICALLY SEALED SOLENOID ASSEMBLY.

98V286000SuspensionNovember 6, 1998 · 39 units

Defect

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

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAG AXLES ON THESE FIRE TRUCKS.

98V077000Latches & LocksApril 24, 1998 · 477 units

Defect

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

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE LATCH AND ACTUATOR ON THE DOORS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“FRONT DRIVERS POWER SEAT BROKE OFF THE POWER DEVICE SO THE WHOLE SEAT SLIDES OFF THE RAILS COMPLETELY. IT IS CURRENTLY TIED ON WITH HOSE CLAMPS AND TIE WRAPS, BUT IS NOT SECURE. THE CHEV DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. GLAVAL CORP., THE INSTALLER OF THE SEATS ADMITS NO RESPONSIBILITY. NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 10, 1999

1996 Spartan Gladiator — common questions

Is the 1996 Spartan Gladiator reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1996 Spartan Gladiator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Spartan Gladiator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.