Recall 12V279 affects 102 2010-2012 Spartan Gladiator emergency rescue chassis for fan clutch bracket fasteners that shear. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 102 2010-2012 Gladiator emergency rescue chassis because fasteners for the fan clutch mounting bracket can shear and let the cooling fan, fan clutch, and bracket separate. If the cab is raised during separation, the defect increases the risk of personal injury; the Spartan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2010-2012 Spartan Gladiator emergency rescue chassis uses a Cummins ISX 15L engine with a cooling fan and fan clutch assembly mounted at the front of the engine. The fan clutch controls when the cooling fan engages, so the engine gets extra airflow when heat builds. A mounting bracket and its fasteners hold that fan clutch assembly in place.
On affected Gladiator chassis, the fasteners that secure the fan clutch mounting bracket can shear. Once those fasteners break, the bracket no longer holds the assembly firmly to the engine. The cooling fan, fan clutch, and mounting bracket can separate from the engine area instead of staying fixed in position.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or service crew should treat unusual fan noise, vibration from the front of the engine, or visible looseness around the fan area as a reason to stop and have the chassis inspected.
Who's affected?
The scope spans 3 Gladiator model years, and each year is tied to the same engine and engine cooling component.
| 2011 Spartan Gladiator | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2010 Spartan Gladiator | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 102 |
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?
If the cab separates while it is raised, anyone near the cab faces an increased risk of personal injury. Keep people clear of the raised cab and contact the dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2012 Spartan Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to confirm the current repair path for recall number 12V279.
- Ask about the engine-cooling repair that secures the fan clutch mounting bracket and addresses the cooling fan, fan clutch, and bracket separation risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one, and keep a copy of any related repair paperwork.
- Avoid raising the cab near people until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician completes the recall repair for the fan clutch mounting bracket area on the Cummins ISX 15L engine. Spartan's remedy notice does not name a specific replacement part or inspection step, but it identifies the repair path through Spartan after owner notification. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered for vehicles included in the campaign.
Timeline
| June 19, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 10, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V279?
Recall 12V279 covers 102 2010-2012 Spartan Gladiator emergency rescue chassis with a Cummins ISX 15L engine and fan clutch assembly. Fasteners for the fan clutch mounting bracket can shear, letting the cooling fan, fan clutch, and bracket separate from the engine.
What should I do if my 2010-2012 Spartan Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 12V279. If it is, contact a Spartan service provider to schedule the recall repair. Reference recall number 12V279 when you call, and use Spartan's listed recall phone number, 1-800-543-5008, if you need help routing the repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Spartan's remedy says it will notify owners and repair the vehicles, so the fan clutch mounting bracket issue is handled through the recall repair path without charging the owner.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is personal injury when the cab is raised. If the fasteners shear, the cooling fan, fan clutch, and mounting bracket can separate from the front of the engine. The official consequence ties the injury risk to that separation while the cab is in the raised position.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V279000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V279 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V279000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →