- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the seat box mounting fasteners.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Spartan Gladiator Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1996 Spartan Gladiator with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in May 1999 for the anchorage. For comparison, the 1995 has 0 and the 1997 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Gladiator year, for its age
#327 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Spartan Gladiator problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 Spartan Gladiator recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could cause the cab tilt system to actuate without control, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a hermetically sealed solenoid assembly.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the tag axles on these fire trucks.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove and replace the latch and actuator on the doors.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 1996 Spartan Gladiator
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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 body shops are willing to try welding it back on. We are less than two years into a four year lease, so have to drive it as is.
Spartan Gladiator: every year compared
All Gladiator years1996 Spartan Gladiator vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Spartan Gladiator | 1 | 4 | C | |
| 1996 Spartan Fire Truck | 2 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1996 Spartan GT1 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 Spartan Gladiator
Does the 1996 Spartan Gladiator have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1996 Spartan Gladiator: anchorage (May 1999); structure (January 1999); suspension (November 1998); latch (April 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Spartan Gladiator?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (1).
How many complaints has the 1996 Spartan Gladiator had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 29, 1999 and the latest on April 29, 1999. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Spartan Gladiator a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 55 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Spartan Gladiator year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Spartan Gladiator years have the most complaints?
2014 (2), 1996 (1), 2020 (1). See every Spartan Gladiator year compared.
What should I do if my 1996 Spartan Gladiator has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data