VehicleVerdict

1997 Spartan Gladiator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1997 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.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Gladiator years?

Gladiator NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Gladiator years to avoid →

Does the 1997 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.

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.

98V109000BrakesMay 20, 1998 · 7 units

Defect

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

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM A WIRING CHANGE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE.

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.

1997 Spartan Gladiator — common questions

Is the 1997 Spartan Gladiator reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1997 Spartan Gladiator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 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.