VehicleVerdict

2005 Spartan Gladiator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2005 Spartan Gladiator — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Gladiator years?

See all Gladiator years to avoid →

Does the 2005 Spartan Gladiator have recalls?

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

19V828000BrakesNovember 19, 2019 · 94 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

19V674000BrakesSeptember 23, 2019 · 1,746 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

19V338000OtherApril 30, 2019 · 45 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2004-2016 Emergency Response Gladiator Tractor Drawn Aerial vehicles. Cracks may develop and extend into the vertical portions of the tiller frame, resulting in instability of the aerial device.

Consequence

If the aerial device becomes unstable, the device may fall, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct any cracking, and add reinforcements to prevent any possible future cracking, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19007.

18V691000OtherOctober 3, 2018 · 923 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

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.

18V206000SuspensionMarch 29, 2018 · 11 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Spartan Emergency Response Gladiator vehicles equipped with Timoney Independent Front Suspensions. Inconsistent machining may result in fatigue cracks developing over time in the front axle spindles, causing failure of the spindle and the possible separation of a front wheel from the vehicle.

Consequence

A wheel separation from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle spindle, free of charge. The recall began on May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18012.

16V688000Body & StructureSeptember 23, 2016 · 9 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) certain model year 2004-2010 Emergency Response Gladiator tractor drawn aerial fire apparatus vehicles manufactured November 18, 2004, to July 26, 2010. The tiller frame of the affected vehicles may crack near the outriggers.

Consequence

If the tiller frame fully cracks, the vehicle may be unstable, increasing the risk of injury to someone on the ladder.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install reinforcements plates, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008.

16V448000BrakesJune 20, 2016 · 38 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2004-2016 Gladiator tractor-drawn aerial emergency vehicles manufactured September 12, 2004, to September 30, 2015. The air brakes on these vehicles may have excessive actuation and release timing, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence

If a longer distance is needed to stop the vehicle there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles with a new 3/8" control line, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 16017.

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.

2005 Spartan Gladiator — common questions

Is the 2005 Spartan Gladiator reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 Spartan Gladiator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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.