2019-2021 Spartan Fire Gladiator & MetroStar Broken Shaft Seal May Cause Loss of Power Steering

April 10, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V252000

Broken Shaft Seal May Cause Loss of Power Steering

A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V252

Manufacturer Spartan Fire, LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 243

 

Summary

Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Spartan Fire Gladiator and MetroStar vehicles. Pressure may build in the power steering pump and break the shaft seal, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

 

Remedy

Spartan Fire will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new power steering pump, free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400.

 

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.

 

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Recall Service Bulletin
RSB21-260-001B

 

DATE:

6/18/2021

 

APPLIES TO: 

This Recall service bulletin applies to 2019 through 2021 model year, Gladiator and Metro Star model emergency response chassis cabs built between February 13, 2020 to September 17, 2020.

 

NHTSA/TC id: 

21V-252

 

CONDITION:

Vehicle may lose power steering and power steering fluid may enter    engine oil.

 

CORRECTION:

Replace power steering pump, power steering fluid, and engine oil.

 

LABOR ALLOCATION:

3 hours

 

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Thoroughly review entire service bulletin before starting work. If there are questions or concerns with steps defined in this service bulletin, contact Spartan Fire, LLC. Customer & Product Support Group.

 

All applicable industry safety standards must be followed when performing work identified in this procedure.

 

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Drain power steering fluid.
2. Disconnect power steering pump hoses. Refer to Figure 3-1          

 

3. Remove power steering pump and dispose of properly.
4. Clean gasket area and remove excess oil from region.

Refer to Figure 4.1

 

5. Install power steering pump with new gasket. Torque power steering pump fasteners to 30 ft.lbs. Refer to Figure 5.1

 

6. Reconnect existing power steering pump hoses.

 

Replace Power Steering Filter:

7. Remove power steering top/lid.
8. Remove power steering sensor.
9. Remove power steering filter in reservoir.
10. Install new power steering filter.
11. Reinstall power steering sensor and torque to 12 inch-pounds. Refer to Figure 6.1

 

12. Reinstall existing power steering top/lid.
13. Fill power steering system with Dexron III Multipurpose Trans/power steering fluid.
14. Follow the appropriate power steering bleed procedure below:

First determine if gear is manual bleed or automatic bleed equipped.

 

          Automatic Bleed System Procedure:

1. Fill power steering reservoir. Do not steer.  Start and run engine for 10 seconds.  Shut engine off.  Refill power steering reservoir.  Repeat at lease three times, rechecking fluid level each time.
2. Start engine and let idle for 2 minutes. Do not steer.  Shut off the engine and check the fluid level in the reservoir.  Refill as needed.
3. Start the engine again. Steer the vehicle from full left and to full right several times.  Add fluid, as necessary, to the full line on the dip stick.

 

Manual Bleed System Procedure:

1. With the engine idling, steer from full left turn to full right turn several times. Stop steering and loosen manual bleed screw about one turn.  Allow air and aerated fluid to bleed out until only clear fluid is seen.  Close the bleed screw, refill the reservoir if required.
2. Repeat three to four times until all air is discharged. Torque manual bleed screw to 45 lbf in.

 

Engine Oil Change: 

Note: This is needed to be done as Power Steering fluid may have entered the engine oil pan.

1. Drain Engine oil.
2. Replace engine oil filter.
3. Fill engine with new engine oil.
4. Run engine for a few minutes. Check engine oil level and top off as needed.

 

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6 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
SPARTAN FIRE	GLADIATOR	2019-2021
SPARTAN FIRE	METROSTAR	2019-2021

 

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9 Associated Documents

Recall 573 Report- Amendment 2

RCLRPT-21V252-8357.PDF 213.802KB

 

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Recall 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V252-2952.PDF 213.803KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V252-1427.PDF 211.138KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V252-4350.pdf 645.877KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V252-4639.PDF 213.557KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V252-5526.PDF 213.557KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V252-2219.pdf 750.6KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V252-2161.PDF 211.243KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V252-9102.PDF 211.33KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V252&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2026-06-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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