RoadVitals

2012 Spartan Advantage

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA 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.
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Latest May 29, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Spartan Advantage. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
18V350000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

May 29, 2018
309 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Spartan Motors USAManufacturer number 18017View on NHTSA.gov
15V448000

TIRES:VALVE

Jul 15, 2015
212 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Spartan Motors, Inc.Manufacturer number 15012View on NHTSA.gov
14V623000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Oct 6, 2014
389 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Spartan Motors, Inc.Manufacturer number 14017View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB23-260-001

STEERING

This service bulletin is about the power steering fluid level sensor could exhibit leaks where sensor seals against power steering reservoir and provides instructions on replacing current power steering level sensor with improved sensor design.

TSB17-110-001A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

This service bulletin amends the previously reported service bulletin that provides instructions on how to replace the door hinges on affected models of emergency response chassis cabs in the event the as built hinge deforms. The amendment includes instructions on removing certain coatings and provides instruction on certain electrical components.

TSB18-530-001

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

This service bulletin provides replacement instructions for compartment door switches that may become inoperative.

4S7-F9U7P-06

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

This service bulletin provides instructions on how to replace the door hinges on affected models of emergency response chassis cabs in the event the as built hinge deforms.

4S7-H4R7D-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

This service bulletin addresses a condition in the condenser fans in the air conditioning system may become inoperative.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Spartan Advantage by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018010—
2017010—
2016010—
2015120—
2014020—
2013030—
2012Viewing030—
2011030—
2010030—
2009030—
2008030—
2007060—
2006030—
2005020—
2004020—
2003020—
2002040—
2001130—
2000010—
1999030—
1998030—
1997030—
1996030—
1995020—
1994020—
1993020—
1992020—
1991020—
1990020—
1989010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.