22007 – Tie Rod Clamps Failure – 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94, & KME Panther Emergency Vehicles

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October 17, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V778000

Tie Rod Clamps Failure

Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V778

Manufacturer Spartan FireeBay, LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 225

 

Summary

Spartan FireeBay, LLC (Spartan FireeBay) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94, and KME Panther emergency vehicles. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.

 

Remedy

Dealers will replace the tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 2, 2022. Owners may contact Spartan FireeBay’s customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan FireeBay’s number for this recall is 22007.

 

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.

 


Recall Service Bulletin
RSB22-240-001

 

APPLIES TO:

This service bulletin applies to certain 2021 through 2023 model year, Gladiator, Metro Star, FC-94, and KME Panther model emergency response chassis cabs built between January and September 2022.

 

NHTSA/TC Id:

22V778 / TC2022-603

 

CONDITION:

Tie rod clamps can develop a crack due to improper heat-treating. If cracks propagate, the clamp load on the cross tube and the tie rod end could decrease. This could result in the cross tube unthreading from the tie rod end, changing the alignment and affecting steering.

 

CORRECTION:

Replace the tie rod clamps and associated hardware.

 


What is the defect?

Based upon information provided by MeritoreBay’s supplier, due to a heat treat issue, MeritoreBay has determined that a population of tie rod clamps used in the manufacture of the subject axle population may be susceptible to cracking. Over time, a crack may lead to a complete fracture of the clamp, thereby reducing clamp load to the tie rod end. If both clamps on the tie rod were to fail, the cross tube could start to unscrew, vehicle alignment issues would evolve, and there is a potential for the tie rod end to separate from the cross tube. Separation is more likely to occur when tie rod loads are highest, which is at slow vehicle speeds over rough terrain or turning maneuvers.

This defect could result in separation of the tie rod end from the cross tube and could result in partial loss of vehicle steering capability, increasing the risk of a crash. The initial effect would be a vehicle out of alignment. If both clamps on the tie rod cracked, the tube could rotate and result in a partial loss of steering capability.

 

Corrective Action:

Contact your local Dealer or repair facility for assistance with facilitating the repair. The repair facility will need to open a case and order the parts with MeritoreBay’s OnTrac Technical Call Center. Once the repair facility receives the parts, the repair facility can schedule the replacement with the customer. The repair will take approximately 1.25 hours to complete. There is no cost to the vehicle owner for the recall remedy. MeritoreBay is providing, free of charge, the necessary components to rectify the issue and will pay labor costs for replacing the included components that have not already been replaced during normal maintenance.

 


Chronology :

Refer to NHTSA Recall 22E-085 for the MeritoreBay chronology.

On September 15, 2022 – Spartan FireeBay received communication from MeritoreBay of a steering arm clamp issue. An investigation was started and a potential population identified.

October 3 – 14, 2022 – Spartan FireeBay received communication from MeritoreBay about recall 22E-085. A final population is still being identified with MeritoreBay. Stop ship issued within Spartan FireeBay. Escalated the issue to REV Group Management.

October 14, 2022 – REV’s senior leadership approved a voluntary recall for this issue.

October 19, 2022 – MeritoreBay provided Spartan a final serial number list affected. Spartan determined final population.

 


22E085 – Tie Rod Clamp Failure – MeritoreBay Front Non-Drive Steer Axles

 

22E085 – C22AJ – Tie Rod Clamp Failure – Meritor Front Non-Drive Steer Axles

 


12 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
KMEPANTHER2021-2023
SPARTAN FIREeBayFC-942021-2023
SPARTAN FIREeBayGLADIATOR2021-2023
SPARTAN FIREeBayMETROSTAR2021-2023

 


10 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V778-9761.PDF 214.163KB

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Recall 573 Report-Amendment 1 – 10/21/2022

RCLRPT-22V778-7479.PDF 214.247KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V778-2871.pdf 687.586KB

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Safety Bulletin

RCSB-22V778-2048.pdf 357.373KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V778-0780.pdf 671.596KB

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V778-8583.pdf 747.539KB

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Miscellaneous Document

RMISC-22V778-2475.pdf 580.499KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-4

RCLQRT-22V778-4215.PDF 211.125KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2023-1

RCLQRT-22V778-1728.PDF 211.22KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2023-2

RCLQRT-22V778-9421.PDF 211.305KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

 


 

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Last update on 2025-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


 

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