Recall 11V500 covers 799 2007-2012 Spartan vehicles with ESC modules that can apply a front brake unnecessarily. Repair is free at a franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 799 2007-2012 Gladiator, Metrostar, Furion, Furion R/T, Diamond, and Spartan Force emergency vehicles under recall 11V500 because the electronic stability control module can activate when it is not needed. The system can apply the front outer wheel brake and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electronic stability control system on 2007-2012 Spartan Diamond, Furion, Furion R/T, Gladiator, Metrostar, and Spartan Force emergency rescue vehicles is designed to help the driver keep the vehicle pointed where intended. It watches how the vehicle is moving, including the angle between the vehicle's direction of travel and where it is pointed, then applies braking or engine control when it senses a loss of stability.
In this recall, the ESC module reads that angle incorrectly under a specific driving pattern on specific road conditions. That bad calculation can make the system activate when the vehicle is still under control. Instead of helping recover from a skid, the module intervenes unnecessarily, which changes how the emergency vehicle responds to the driver.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is tied to how the ESC module calculates vehicle movement during those road and driving conditions, so the driver is not given a separate early symptom before the system intervenes.
Who's affected?
Spans six Spartan models across the 2007-2012 model years, all tied to the electronic stability control system.
| 2008 Spartan Metrostar | Electronic stability control (esc) |
|---|---|
| 2009 Spartan Furion | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 Spartan Furion R/T | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Spartan Metrostar | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 Spartan Metrostar | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2008 Spartan Furion | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2008 Spartan Diamond | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2009 Spartan Metrostar | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Spartan Furion | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2012 Spartan Metrostar | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2012 Spartan Spartan Force | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Spartan Gladiator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2007 Spartan Gladiator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2008 Spartan Gladiator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2009 Spartan Gladiator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 Spartan Gladiator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| Units affected | 799 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An ESC control module error can make the system read normal driving as oversteer. When that happens, ESC can apply the front axle outer wheel service brake until it reads the vehicle as stable, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2012 Spartan Metrostar, Furion, Furion R/T, Diamond, Gladiator, or Spartan Force is included in this recall.
- Contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to confirm the repair path for your vehicle.
- Reference recall number 11V500 when you call or speak with a Spartan service location.
- Schedule the ESC control-module replacement that stops unintended stability-control braking.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it and ask the service desk to confirm the repair is free before work begins.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete and stop using the vehicle if stability-control or braking behavior feels abnormal.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician replaces the electronic stability control module covered by recall 11V500. Spartan notified owners starting December 19, 2011, and the remedy calls for the control module replacement to be completed free of charge. Because the current remedy status is not listed as available, confirm the VIN and campaign status with the service desk before arranging the repair. Spartan also listed 1-800-543-5008, option 5, for owner contact in the recall remedy.
Timeline
| October 13, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V500?
Recall 11V500 covers 799 Spartan emergency rescue transport vehicles from 2007-2012 with an electronic stability control module defect. The ESC system can apply the front outer wheel service brake unnecessarily on certain road conditions, increasing crash risk. Spartan replaces the control module for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2012 Spartan Metrostar, Furion, Furion R/T, Diamond, Gladiator, or Spartan Force is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V500. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan service location to schedule the ESC control module replacement. Reference recall number 11V500 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Spartan's remedy for recall 11V500 is a free ESC control module replacement. Spartan's owner notice process began on December 19, 2011.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is unwanted ESC brake intervention. Under certain road conditions, the module can perceive an oversteering event and apply the front axle outer wheel service brake until the system reads the vehicle as stable. NHTSA campaign 11V500 identifies increased crash risk as the consequence.
What if I bought this Spartan emergency vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or purchase history. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Spartan service location or Spartan at 1-800-543-5008 to confirm the repair path for recall 11V500.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V500000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V500 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V500000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →