The Used Car Index

2012 Spartan K3 problems

NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2012 Spartan K3, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as SPARTAN K3.

At a glance

Complaints
2
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
8
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
2,783
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
4

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
SERVICE BRAKES150.0%
STEERING150.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic150.0%0.49
loss of control150.0%0.90
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate2100.0%0.71

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 2 tagged complaints of 2 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

8 recalls.

17V351000

Date: 2017-05-31. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2010-2014 K2 and K3 motor home chassis and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs. A component within the starter motor may break, potentially resulting in the starter motor overheating or drawing excessive current.

Consequence: A starter motor that overheats may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Spartan will notify the purchasers of the chassis and dealers will replace the starters, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 17012.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V160000

Date: 2017-03-13. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Gladiator, 2016-2017 MetroStar, 2012-2018 K2, 2011-2018 K3, 2017-2018 K4, and 2011-2017 MM vehicles. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.

Consequence: A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will remove, clean, apply thread locker, and reinstall the properly torqued ball joint, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2017. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277. Spartan's number for this recall is 17004.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V676000

Date: 2016-09-19. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2010-2017 Emergency Response K3, Metrostar, and Gladiator emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis manufactured April 12, 2010, to August 31, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power steering pump that may have an occasional loss of output power resulting in reduced or intermittent loss of power steering assist.

Consequence: An intermittent loss of power steering assist could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge. The recall began on October 11, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Spartan's number for this recall is 16022.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V313000

Date: 2016-05-17. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: Spartan Motors (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 Spartan K3 and MM motorhome chassis manufactured September 21, 2006, to March 23, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the flexible exhaust tube may tear allowing hot exhaust to blow against other components or materials. (excerpt)

Consequence: If hot exhaust gas contacts other components or materials, it can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Spartan will notify the motorhome manufacturers that purchased the affected chassis, and Spartan dealers will inspect the alignment of the tubes, correcting them and replacing any that are torn. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 16014. Note: This (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V392000

Date: 2013-08-30. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: Spartan Motor Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 MM, 2011-2014 K2, and 2010-2012 K3 motor home chassis. Due to contact with the steering relay rod, the ABS modulator valve may fracture resulting in air not being applied to the affected wheel end.

Consequence: This may increase stopping distance of the vehicle or cause the vehicle to pull to one side. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and dealers will reorient the ABS modulator valve and install spacers for additional clearance, free of charge. The recall began on September 17, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. spartan's recall campaign number is 12008.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V242000

Date: 2013-06-10. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: Spartan Motors, Inc. (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 K2, K3, and MM motor homes manufactured March 2, 2012, through July 30, 2012 and equipped with a 1660 independent front suspension supplied by Reyco Granning. The motor homes may have incorrect wheel bearings installed in the front suspension.

Consequence: Incorrect wheel bearings may cause the vehicle to pull to one side and with continued use, there is a risk of a fire starting at the wheel.

Remedy: Spartan will notify owners and dealers will inspect the bearings and replace them, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's campaign number is 13-009.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V425000

Date: 2011-08-17. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: SPARTAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010, 2011, AND 2012 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS MM, K2, K3, BUS, FURION, GLADIATOR, AND METRO STAR, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2010, THROUGH JUNE 20, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESE (excerpt)

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD. (excerpt)

Remedy: SPARTAN IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR SPARTAN AT 1-800-543-5008 - OPTION 5. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V412000

Date: 2011-08-11. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan Chassis) is recalling certain 2011 SU and 2011 through 2012 model year MM, K2, and K3 recreational vehicle chassis manufactured from January 28, 2011, through June 28, 2011, equipped with air gauges supplied by Ametek. An incorrect value may have been used in the formula for calculating the sweep angle of the dial. This may have resulted in the accuracy of t (excerpt)

Consequence: In a condition where constant braking may be necessary, the air systems may deplete sooner than expected. This could cause the application of the spring brake without warning and may result in a vehicle crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Spartan Chassis will notify owners and replace the affected guages with compliant ones, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-800-543-4277 - Option 1. Spartan's campagn number is 11018. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

4 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
STEERING1
SUSPENSION1

10249131

Date: 2023-12-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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.

10127590

Date: 2017-08-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

This service bulletin provides instructions on how to apply appropriate torque to rear suspension fasteners to resolve popping noises.

10058839

Date: 2015-09-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

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

10053744

Date: 2013-10-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

SPARTAN: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOME CHASSIS, THE HADLEY AIR LEVEL SYSTEM MODULE MAY NOT BE ACTIVATED BY THE INTERFACE MODULE AND NEED TO CHANGE CONSTANT BATTERY CIRCUIT OF MODULE TO SWITCH POWER SOURCE (ACCESSORY CIRCUIT). MODELS 2007-2013 K2, K3. *PE

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
K32

Same model, other years

All model years | All Spartan models

Other Spartan models, 2012

Sources

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