- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Spartan Gladiator Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2012 Spartan Gladiator have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 24 recalls, the latest in November 2019 for the reservoir / tank.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Gladiator year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 24
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2012 Spartan Gladiator recalls 24
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
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the aerial device becomes unstable, the device may fall, increasing the risk of an injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- A delay in the brakes releasing may hinder vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the EMS cabinets become loose during a crash, the cabinets may become projectiles, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Spartan Emergency Response Gladiator vehicles. The protective sleeve for the cable that connects the battery positive terminal to the alternator can become brittle and allow the cable to chafe and arc.
- The risk
- If the battery positive cable arcs, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install brackets to move the cable away from any chafe points, and replace any damaged battery positive cables, free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2018. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 18020.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- A loss of air to the air brake system could increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2010-2014 K2 and K3 motor home chassis and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs. A component within the starter motor may break, potentially resulting in the starter motor overheating or drawing excessive current.
- The risk
- A starter motor that overheats may increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify the purchasers of the chassis and dealers will replace the starters, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 17012.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Gladiator and MetroStar emergency response vehicles equipped with a supplemental park brake system (SPBS). The directions to activate the SPBS incorrectly state to "Pull" the actuation knob, when it should say "Push."
- The risk
- If the operator follows the incorrect directions and believes that the supplemental front park brake is applied when it is not, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners and supply a new actuator control knob with the correct directions, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 17009.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Gladiator, 2016-2017 MetroStar, 2012-2018 K2, 2011-2018 K3, 2017-2018 K4, and 2011-2017 MM vehicles. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.
- The risk
- A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, and reinstall the properly torqued ball joint, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 17004.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Emergency Response K3, Metrostar, and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis manufactured April 12, 2010, to August 31, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power steering pump that may have an occasional loss of output power resulting in reduced or intermittent loss of power steering assist.
- The risk
- An intermittent loss of power steering assist could increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge. The recall began on October 11, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 16022.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- If a longer distance is needed to stop the vehicle there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 ER Gladiator and MetroStar vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, to January 19, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the power steering fluid may overheat and cause the steering to unexpectedly lock during steering maneuvers.
- The risk
- If the steering locks, there could be a loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will install a cooler to prevent the steering fluid from overheating, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on December 17, 2015. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Gladiator and MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured March 4, 2013, to December 17, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the front splay rails may crack.
- The risk
- If the front splay rails crack, they may separate, causing the cab to collapse when it is being raised, increasing the risk of injury to those nearby.
- The fix
- Spartan will replace the splay rails with new splay rails with certified welds, free of charge. An interim notification was mailed to owners on September 24, 2015. The recall began on October 31, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15019.
- The problem
- Spartan ERV (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Gladiator emergency vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2007, through June 10, 2015. The affected vehicles were built with aerial devices and the torque frames are susceptible to cracking.
- The risk
- The supporting frame could fail to support the aerial device, allowing it to fall and strike and injure a bystander, become a road hazard, or startle the vehicle's driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will njotify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by adding reinforcement sections for each side of the frame, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15013.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency response vehicles manufactured January 18, 2007 to February 9, 2015. The front wheels of the affected vehicles have valve stems that may rub against the brake caliper.
- The risk
- If the valve stems rub against the brake caliper, a hole may develop causing the tire to deflate suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front wheel valve stems and replace any that have wear marks, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15012.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Furion, Gladiator, and Metrostar emergency response vehicles manufactured November 10, 2009, to June 16, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may crack and the fan blades may detach while the fan is spinning.
- The risk
- If the cab is raised, such as during a repair, and the engine cooling fan is operating and comes apart, those in close proximity could be injured from the shattered parts.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify the vehicle manufacturers that purchased the affected emergency vehicle chassis, and their dealers will install a new engine cooling fan, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 15011.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Gladiator vehicles manufactured March 25, 2010, to October 16, 2014. The engine cooling fan may break and separate during severe vibration.
- The risk
- If the hood to the vehicle is open, such as during a repair, and the engine cooling fan is operating and comes apart, those in close proximity could be injured from the shattered parts.
- The fix
- The cooling fans in the affected vehicles will be replaced by dealers free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for the recall is 14018.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2006-2013 Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and MetroStar emergency vehicles manufactured November 29, 2005, to June 19, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the transmission fluid cooler may fail, allowing the engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid.
- The risk
- If the engine coolant mixes with the transmission fluid, the transmission may not shift properly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners and dealers will install a new transmission fluid cooler, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on November 25, 2014 and will also be mailed a second letter when parts are available. Parts should be available in mid to late January 2015. The recall began on February 9, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 14017.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Metro Star and Gladiator fire trucks manufactured from March 29, 2012, through January 30, 2013 and equipped with a Spartan advanced protection system (APS) supplied by Takata Protection Systems. The circuits on the control module of the APS may short and cause an inadvertent air bag deployment.
- The risk
- An inadvertent air bag deployment could result in personal injury or increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new sub-wire harness on the control module of the APS, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-5008 - Option 4.
- The problem
- Spartan Motors Chassis is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Gladiator, Metro Star, Metro Star-X, and Force emergency rescue chassis cabs built between October 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012. The wiper motor shaft and the wiper arm shaft have different sized splines which may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative.
- The risk
- If the windshield wipers become inoperative, the driver could have reduced visibility, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners and replace the wipers free of charge The safety recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-5008, Option 4.
- The problem
- Spartan is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 gladiator emergency rescue chassis manufactured from april 12, 2010, through june 5, 2012, equipped with a cummins isx 15l engine and fan clutch assembly. Sheering of the fasteners used to mount the fan clutch mounting bracket to the front of the engine may lead to separation of the cooling fan, fan clutch and mounting bracket.
- The risk
- If this occurs and cab is in the raised position, the separation could increase the risk of personal injury.
- The fix
- Spartan chassis will notify owners, and repair the vehicles. The recall began on august 10, 2012. Owners may contact spartan at 1-800-543-5008.
- The problem
- Spartan chassis (spartan), is recalling certain model year 2008 diamond, model year 2008-2009 furion along with model year 2011, model year 2010 furion r/t, model year 2007-2012 gladiator, model year 2008-2012 metrostar and model year 2012 spartan force emergency rescue transport vehicles equipped with an electronic stability control (esc) manufactured from april 12, 2007, through september 30, 2011. The esc module may cause the esc system to activate unnecessarily when the vehicle is driven in a particular manner on certain unique road conditions and may adversely affect the slip angle calculation by the esc module.
- The risk
- This might cause the esc to perceive an over steering situation and therefore apply the front axle outer wheel service brake until the vehicle is perceived to be stable by the esc. These conditions could increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners and replace the control module free of charge. The safety recall began on december 19, 2011. Owners may contact spartan at 1-800-543-5008 option 5.
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No complaints about the 2012 Spartan Gladiator yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Spartan Gladiator: every year compared
All Gladiator years2012 Spartan Gladiator vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | 0 | 24 | F | |
| 2012 Spartan K3 | 2 | 8 | C | 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 2012 Spartan Gladiator
Does the 2012 Spartan Gladiator have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 24 recalls for the 2012 Spartan Gladiator: reservoir / tank (November 2019); reservoir / tank (September 2019); equipment (April 2019); service brakes, air (December 2018) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2012 Spartan Gladiator had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2012 Spartan Gladiator a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 9 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than 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 2012 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