RoadVitals

NHTSA safety recall

Recall 97V135000: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. · Reported to NHTSA Aug 18, 1997

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Units potentially affectedThe manufacturer's own estimate of how many vehicles or items of equipment may contain the defect. It is not a count of failures, and not every unit in the range is necessarily affected.
262
Model years coveredModel years in our database that NHTSA matched to this campaign. Whether an individual vehicle is covered still depends on its VIN.
9
Models covered
7
Grouped from the model years above
Reported to NHTSA
Aug 18, 1997
Production Apr 17, 1997 – Aug 13, 1997

What this recall covers

NHTSA's campaign record, quoted as published

The defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPSION, WHICH UTILIZES A NORGREN VALVE AND NEWAY PILOT AIR CONTROL VALVES. THE PURPOSE OF THE NORGREN VALVE IS TO EXHAUST THE AIR SUSPENSION WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE VEHICLE JACKS USED TO LEVEL THE VEHICLE FOR OVERNIGHT PARKING. THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE IS USED TO SPEED UP THE TIMING OF THE AIR EXHAUST. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN A DYNAMIC CONDITION, THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE CAN SEND SPIKES OF UP TO 230 PSI. THIS EXCEEDS THE PRESSURE RATING OF THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE CAUSING THE VALVE TO FAIL AND ALLOW THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE TO EXHAUST UNCONTROLLABILITY.

The risk

IF THERE IS AN AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE, IT COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

The remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIR PLUMBING TO REMOVE THE THREE (3) NEWAY PILOT VALVES (TWO FRONT SUSPENSION/ONE REAR SUSPENSION) FROM THE AIR SYSTEM. THE NORGREN VALVE WILL BE FULLY UTILIZED TO REPLACE THE VALVES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND A MIDLAND VALVE WILL BE USED IN THE REAR SUSPENSION.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-4277.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.

Campaign details

Identifiers and dates as filed with NHTSA

Manufacturer
SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
Manufacturer's campaign number
Not recorded
NHTSA campaign number
97V135000
Units potentially affected
262
Report received
Aug 18, 1997
Production range
Apr 17, 1997 – Aug 13, 1997
Campaign type
Vehicle
Federal safety standard (FMVSS)
Not recorded

Vehicles covered

9 model years across 7 models

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.