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2016 Spartan Gladiator Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2016 Spartan Gladiator have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 14 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
14
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

2016 Spartan Gladiator recalls 14

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

Service brakes: reservoir / tank

19V82800094 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes: reservoir / tank

19V6740001,746 vehicles affected

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.

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

19V523000234 vehicles affected

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

Equipment

19V33800045 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes

18V932000138 vehicles affected

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.

Equipment

18V691000923 vehicles affected

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.

Electrical system: wiring

18V440000865 vehicles affected

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.

Electrical system

18V4240001,243 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes: reservoir / tank

18V350000309 vehicles affected

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.

Equipment

17V72200034 vehicles affected

The problem
Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling 2014-2017 Spartan Gladiator and MetroStar emergency response vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.
The risk
A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Spartan will notify owners and Hale service providers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 or Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569. Spartan's number for this recall is 17028.

Parking brake

17V29400018 vehicles affected

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.

Suspension: control arm

17V1600002,783 vehicles affected

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.

Steering: pump

16V676000264 vehicles affected

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.

Service brakes

16V44800038 vehicles affected

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.

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No complaints about the 2016 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

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20201700Visibility & wipersD
201901400-F
201801300-F
201701500-F
201601400-F
201502600-F
201422800Body, doors & structureF
201302900-F
201202400-F
All Gladiator years

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Questions about the 2016 Spartan Gladiator

Does the 2016 Spartan Gladiator have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2016 Spartan Gladiator: reservoir / tank (November 2019); reservoir / tank (September 2019); hydraulic power assist system (July 2019); equipment (April 2019) 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 2016 Spartan Gladiator had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2016 Spartan Gladiator a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 18 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?
What should I do if my 2016 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

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