- The problem
- Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 1997-2005 MM and K2 motorhome chassis manufactured January 20, 2003, to May 16, 2005. The affected vehicles have a steering gear mounting bracket that may crack, causing a loss of steering ability.
- The risk
- A loss of steering increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear mounting brackets, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 15022.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Spartan K2 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2005 Spartan K2 with NHTSA, most often about the steering (1) and the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in October 2015 for the steering. For comparison, the 2004 has 0 and the 2006 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical K2 year, for its age
#314 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Spartan K2 problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Spartan K2 recalls 7
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 model year 2004-2008 K2, K3 and MM motorhomes manufactured March 17, 2003, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may separate from the fan drive while the fan is spinning.
- The risk
- If the engine area is open and the cooling fan is operating and detaches, someone nearby may be injured.
- The fix
- Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fan and fan drive system, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on October 29, 2015. The recall began on October 29, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15014.
- The problem
- Spartan is recalling 2,621 my 2005-2009 k2, my 2006-2009 mg, and my 2007-2009 mm motor home chassis equipped with putnam hitches. Certain trailer hitches may fracture which could result in the loss of the trailer.
- The risk
- Suspect hitches may develop fractures and subsequent separation may occur, resulting in a vehicle crash, property damage or pedestrian harm.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the trailer hitch free of charge. The recall began on january 21, 2009. Owners may contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400.
- The problem
- On certain motor homes and fire trucks, the steering gear assembly contains a spacer with incorrect dimensions. A spacer of insufficient height allows for excessive play in the return function of the recirculation balls and, as a consequence, there is a failure in the circulatory function of these balls.
- The risk
- If the failure mode is allowed to continue, the final result will be interruption in the connection between the steering wheel and the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle can no longer be steered and could result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly free of charge. The recall began on august 23, 2007. Owners may contact spartan at 517-543-6400.
- The problem
- On certain motor homes, the i-shaft is the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the steering gear. At the non-welded side of the i-shaft there is a universal joint. It is possible that the fork shaft connection could be lost.
- The risk
- Drivers will lose steerability of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the i-shaft. The recall began on august 15, 2005. Owners may contact spartan at 517-543-6400.
- The problem
- On certain motor homes equipped with ngi air pressure gauges located on the dash panel is giving a false reading.
- The risk
- This may cause the park brake to engage without warning, thus throwing the passenger forward, creating the potential for injury to occupants.
- The fix
- Dealers will use a jumper harness containing a 33 ohm resistor which will shift the resistance curve of the air pressure sender to match the alarm point of the current gauge. The recall began on june 3, 2005. Owners may contact spartan at 517-543-6400.
- The problem
- On certain motorhomes equipped with caterpillar engines, the adjustable pedal return springs may return the pedal shaft to the home position while not fully returning the potentiometer key to its home position.
- The risk
- In a neutral or no load situation: the engine will continue to increase idle speed until it reaces full governed rpm. The transmission will not allow shift from neutral to any gear over 900 engine rpm. In gear or under load: the engine may not return to 725 rpm (normal idle) which will require additional effort by the service brakes to overcome the additional engine rpm during braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the throttle pedal. The recall began on august 17, 2004, by phone calls. Owners should contact spartan at 517-543-6400.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2005 Spartan K2
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 spartan k2. The contact stated that the side radiator mounted framework had become structurally disconnected, which impacted a loose connection of the sand blade. As a result, the side radiator housing was fractured, which impacted the sand blade, housing unit, and other components. The vehicle had not been serviced by the manufacturer's authorized facility. The contact called several times and also left messages with the manufacturer. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the side radiator housing unit needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
There have been two spartan k2 recalls on steering related issues on 2005 units.05V283000 and 07v300000 these are defects in steering linkage and spacers that can cause steering failure. I am told by spartan that my k2 is not affected by the recalls. However, my unit has had a steering defect since day one. When making turns there is often a loud bang sounds like a ball joint is bad. They first told me it was the tie rod u bolts on upside down. Correcting did not stop the loud bang. They then told me it was...
Read the full complaint
the ifs and they replaced a bell crank assembly in it. The noise continued and has become more pronounced and occurs more often and in less turning radius. They have told me they do not know what the cause is but they are sure it is 100% safe since it has not yet caused a crash or injury to me or others. They refuse to make any effort to determine the cause of the sound. I believe it is unsafe and I am afraid to drive it. I believe there is metal fatigue occurring with each loud pop and that eventually the steering will fail and control of a almost 50,000 lb coach will be lost. You can experience a demo of this defect by going to this link to a video posted on google. Http://video.Google.Com/videoplay?Docid=-8114109860308362131&hl=en. *Tr
During driving, passenger side windshield popped loose at area of upper corner, eventually cracking. Manufacturer of motor home had it picked up and returned to the factory. They claimed to have replaced total front cap, kept it over 4 months, had it returned, immediately upon return, before, I could take another trip, both front windshields cracked and were popping out. Had it repaired at a rv dealer that they approved. Took another trip and windshield on passenger side settled and left a slit between windshield and windshield gasket. *Jb
Spartan K2: every year compared
All K2 years2005 Spartan K2 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Spartan K2 | 3 | 7 | D | |
| 2005 Spartan Mountain Master | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2005 Spartan K3 | 1 | 4 | B | 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 2005 Spartan K2
Does the 2005 Spartan K2 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2005 Spartan K2: steering (October 2015); fan (September 2015); trailer hitches (October 2008); steering (July 2007) and more. 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 2005 Spartan K2?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the steering (1), engine & cooling (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2005 Spartan K2 had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 19, 2007 and the latest on December 3, 2018. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Spartan K2 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 33 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Spartan K2 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 K2 years have the most complaints?
2005 (3), 2019 (3), 2020 (3). See every Spartan K2 year compared.
What should I do if my 2005 Spartan K2 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