VehicleVerdict

2018 Spartan Metrostar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2018 Spartan Metrostar — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 14 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

14

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Metrostar years?

See all Metrostar years to avoid →

Does the 2018 Spartan Metrostar have recalls?

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

20E072000Electrical SystemSeptember 29, 2020 · 10 units

Defect

Spartan Fire, LLC is recalling certain Ametek gauges, part number 2101-NN1, sold as replacement parts for the Advanced Protection System (APS) in Gladiator and MetroStar vehicles. The Ametek gauges are not a direct replacement for the Pacific Insight gauges and may result in the APS not engaging.

Consequence

If the APS is not engaged, there would be an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan Fire will notify owners and send a remedy kit with instructions and a jumper wire, free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2020. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-866-582-2376.

19V925000BrakesDecember 30, 2019 · 2 units

Defect

Toyne Inc. (Toyne) is recalling certain vehicles built on 2018-2019 Spartan Emergency Response Metro Star and Gladiator chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may require an extended distance in order to stop the vehicle.

Consequence

An increase in stopping distance increases the risk of crash.

Remedy

Toyne will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the valves, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2020. Owners may contact Toyne customer service at 1-712-673-2328.

19V874000BrakesDecember 10, 2019 · 2 units

Defect

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion Body Works) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Spartan Gladiator & Metro Star emergency response chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may result in an extended stopping distance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence

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

Remedy

Marion Body Works will notify owners, and Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valve, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2019. Owners may contact Marion Body Works customer service at 1-715-754-5261 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008.

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.

19V523000SuspensionJuly 12, 2019 · 234 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Emergency Response Gladiator and MetroStar vehicles equipped with an independent front suspension and Koni shocks. The front shocks may separate from their upper mount on the front suspension. The loose shock may contact and damage the steering gear housing, possibly causing a steering fluid leak and a loss of power steering assist.

Consequence

A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install new shock bolts, and shims if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19015.

19V360000BrakesMay 13, 2019 · 92 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, and K4 emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis. The brake relay valve may have an air flow restriction, which may result in an extended stopping distance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence

An increase in stopping distance increases the risk of crash.

Remedy

Spartan will notify the vehicle manufacturers that purchased the affected chassis, and Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valves, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 19012.

19V268000LightingApril 2, 2019 · 3 units

Defect

Precision Industries (Precision) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Emergency Vehicles built on Spartan Metrostar chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights recalled under 18E-063. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Precision will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lights, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Precision Industries customer service at 1-573-346-8387.

18V932000BrakesDecember 26, 2018 · 138 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Emergency Response Gladiator and Metro Star vehicles built into fire apparatus and equipped with tandem axles, drum brakes at the rear axles and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Vehicles with this configuration may have a delay in their brake release, preventing them from complying with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence

A delay in the brakes releasing may hinder vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will re-route a portion of the brake system to bring the vehicle into compliance, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18038.

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.

18V654000LightingSeptember 21, 2018 · 95 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Spartan MetroStar and Gladiator emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18026.

18V647000TransmissionSeptember 19, 2018 · 4 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar emergency vehicles. The wheel studs may have not been properly heat treated causing them to fail.

Consequence

If enough of the improperly heat treated studs fail on the same steer axle hub, the wheel may detach, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

All affected vehicles have been repaired, therefore owner notification letters will not be mailed. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18027.

18V424000Electrical SystemJune 25, 2018 · 1,243 units

Defect

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Gladiator and MetroStar emergency vehicles. The fire water pump solenoid may corrode internally, causing a loss of power to the pump control module.

Consequence

A loss of power to the pump control module can cause a loss of water pressure for fighting fires, thereby increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the solenoids, free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18019.

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.

2018 Spartan Metrostar — common questions

Is the 2018 Spartan Metrostar reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 14 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Spartan Metrostar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Spartan Metrostar. 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.