RoadVitals

2005 Spartan K2

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
3
Latest Dec 3, 2018
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.
7
Latest Oct 8, 2015
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Spartan K2, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and steering categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Steering125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
15V633000

STEERING

Oct 8, 2015
3,313 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Spartan Motors USAManufacturer number 15022View on NHTSA.gov
15V549000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Sep 1, 2015
1,212 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
Spartan Motors USAManufacturer number 15014View on NHTSA.gov
08V567000

TRAILER HITCHES

Oct 28, 2008
2,621 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC.Manufacturer number 08023View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureEngine
Filed Dec 3, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11155568
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
78,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 10, 2007

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 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

NHTSA ID
10205340
Incident
Sep 30, 2005
Visibility
Filed Jul 19, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10196860
Incident
Sep 13, 2006
Mileage
14,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB-15-310-002

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

SPARTAN MOTORS: SOME MOTOR HOME CHASSIS ARE EXPERIENCING A FUEL TANK DEFORMITY AND FUEL SENDER BY SHOWING LESS FUEL ON FUEL GAUGE THAN IN FUEL TANK AND WOULD NEED TO HAVE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM ADJUSTMENT. MODEL 2002-15 MM, K3, K2, NVS. *PE

05170001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ENGINE COOLING - MECHANICAL FAN DRIVE V-BELT ALIGNMENT. SPARTAN K2 AND K3 CHASSIS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICALLY DRIVEN ENGINE COOLING FAN, MANUFACTURED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. MISALIGNED PULLEYS MAY CAUSE DRIVE BELTS TO COME OFF. *TT

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 K2 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025020—
2024030—
2023070—
2022190—
2021080—
2020350—
2019360—
2018050—
2017040—
2016040—
2015050—
2014060—
2013180—
2012081—
2011070—
2010040—
2009050—
2008180—
2007050—
2006050—
2005Viewing370—
2004050—
2003040—
2002050—
2001020—
2000010—
1999020—
1998040—
1997020—

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.