NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Spartan Gladiator Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 Spartan Gladiator has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Spartan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Spartan Gladiator. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 Spartan Gladiator owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2020 Spartan Gladiator, describing incidents dated February 6, 2020.

Most-cited components

Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11329768 · Filed June 19, 2020
THE WIPER MOTOR ON A NEW FIRE APPARATUS FAILS DURING USE. THE WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. LOCAL DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENTIRE WIPER AND LINKAGE ONCE. THE SPARTAN GLADIATOR CHASSIS WAS PLACED IN SERVICE 11/2019 AND THE FIRST FAILURE WAS 2/6/20. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE…

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Wireless Controller Sleep Mode Disabled

NHTSA #21V436000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported June 9, 2021 · Four Guys Stainless Tank & Equip., Inc.

Potentially affected: 1 vehicle

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 4, 2021

Defect description

Four Guys Stainless Tank & Equip., Inc. (Four Guys) is recalling one 2020 Pumper firetruck equipped with an Akron Bass battery-powered 3600 wireless remote controller. The wireless remote controller's sleep mode is disabled, and results in the batteries discharging faster than normal.

Safety consequence

Inability to use the wireless remote controller can hinder firefighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Four Guys will request owners return the affected wireless remote controllers to Akron Brass for a software update, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Four Guys customer service at 1-814-634-8373.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Park Brake Control Line May Loosen

NHTSA #20V203000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported April 8, 2020 · Marion Body Works Inc.

Potentially affected: 9 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 6, 2020

Defect description

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion Body Works) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator and MetroStar Emergency Response chassis vehicles modified by Marion Body Works. The park brake control line may loosen and possibly come out the fitting while the vehicle is in motion.

Safety consequence

If the air line comes out of the fitting while the vehicle is in motion, the park brake can inadvertently be applied and the vehicle could suddenly decelerate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Marion Body Works dealers will inspect and properly tighten the park brake control line, free of charge. All of the vehicles will be repaired before being delivered to customers, free of charge. Owners may contact Marion Body Works customer service at 1-715-754-5261.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Park Brake Control Line May Loosen

NHTSA #20V163000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported March 20, 2020 · SVI Trucks

Potentially affected: 4 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20V138 · Owners notified May 1, 2020

Defect description

SVI Trucks is recalling certain 2019-2020 Spartan Fire Gladiator and MetroStar Emergency Response vehicles modified by SVI Trucks. The park brake control line may loosen and possibly come out the fitting while the vehicle is in motion. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Safety consequence

If the air line comes out of the fitting while the vehicle is in motion, the park brake can inadvertently be applied and the vehicle could suddenly decelerate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

SVI dealers will inspect and properly tighten the park brake control line, free of charge. All of the vehicles will be repaired before being delivered to customers, free of charge. Owners may contact SVI dealers customer service at 1-888-784-1112. SVI Truck's number for this recall is 20V138.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Park Brake Control Air Line May Loosen

NHTSA #20V138000 · Parking Brake — Conventional — Air · NHTSA notice

Reported March 10, 2020 · Spartan Fire, LLC

Potentially affected: 86 vehicles

Repair completion: 31.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Spartan campaign 20-05 · Owners notified March 26, 2020

Defect description

Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fire Gladiator and MetroStar Emergency vehicles. The park brake control line may loosen and separate, possibly causing the park brake to be unintentionally applied.

Safety consequence

If the park brake is applied while the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle may suddenly decelerate and experience a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the fitting control line, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 20005.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Tire Chain Air Line Missing Pressure Protection

NHTSA #19V828000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Reservoir/Tank · NHTSA notice

Reported November 19, 2019 · Marion Body Works Inc.

Potentially affected: 94 vehicles

Repair completion: 54.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 19V-674 · Owners notified October 22, 2019 · Vehicles built January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Tire Chain Air Line Pressure Protection/FMVSS 121

NHTSA #19V674000 · Service Brakes, Air — Supply — Reservoir/Tank · NHTSA notice

Reported September 23, 2019 · Spartan Motors USA

Potentially affected: 1,746 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.43% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Spartan campaign 19017 · Owners notified October 4, 2019 · Vehicles built September 20, 2004 – August 19, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of Power Steering Assist

NHTSA #19V523000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported July 12, 2019 · Spartan Motors USA

Potentially affected: 234 vehicles

Repair completion: 53.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Spartan campaign 19015 · Owners notified August 20, 2019 · Vehicles built October 21, 2014 – June 10, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2020 Spartan Gladiator. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Spartan Gladiator.

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11329768

Incident: February 6, 2020 · Filed: June 19, 2020

THE WIPER MOTOR ON A NEW FIRE APPARATUS FAILS DURING USE. THE WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. LOCAL DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENTIRE WIPER AND LINKAGE ONCE. THE SPARTAN GLADIATOR CHASSIS WAS PLACED IN SERVICE 11/2019 AND THE FIRST FAILURE WAS 2/6/20. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE NEXT FAILURE WAS 2/28/20. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ON 4/1 THE TRUCK WENT TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER WIPER MOTOR FOR A FAILURE. ON 6/18 THE TRUCK WENT OUT OF SERVICE AGAIN WITH A FAULTY WIPER MOTOR. THE FRONT LINE FIRE APPARATUS WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR NEARLY A WEEK WAITING ON A NEW WIPER MOTOR. THERE IS NO APPARENT FIX FOR THE ISSUE OTHER THAN REPLACING THE WIPER MOTOR AS IT FAILS.

Other Spartan Gladiator model years

Check your 2020 Spartan Gladiator VIN

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