Recall 12V579 affects 36 2012-2013 Spartan Gladiator, Metrostar, Force, and Metrostar-X emergency chassis for mismatched wiper splines. Repair is free at a franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 36 2012-2013 Metrostar, Gladiator, Force, and Metrostar-X emergency rescue chassis cabs under recall 12V579 because mismatched windshield wiper shaft splines can leave the wipers inoperative. Without working wipers, reduced visibility raises the risk of a crash; the Spartan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wipers on the 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Gladiator, Force, and Metrostar-X chassis cabs use a motor to sweep the wiper arms across the glass. The motor turns a shaft, and that shaft connects to the wiper arm shaft through splines, small ridges that grip so the arm moves when the motor runs.
On affected chassis cabs, the wiper motor shaft and the wiper arm shaft were built with different spline sizes. Because the ridges do not match correctly, the motor shaft does not hold the wiper arm shaft the way it should. The connection can slip or lose drive, leaving the windshield wipers inoperative even though the switch and motor are being used.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign is that the wipers stop moving or fail to sweep the windshield when the driver turns them on.
Who's affected?
Covers Metrostar, Gladiator, Force, and Metrostar-X trucks across the 2012 and 2013 model years, all tied to the wiper system.
| 2013 Spartan Metrostar | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | wiper system |
| 2012 Spartan Metrostar | wiper system |
| 2013 Spartan Gladiator | wiper system |
| 2013 Spartan Force | wiper system |
| 2013 Spartan Metrostar-X | wiper system |
| Units affected | 36 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the windshield wipers stop working, visibility drops and crash risk increases. Avoid driving in rain, snow, or road spray until the wipers are repaired, and schedule service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Gladiator, Force, or Metrostar-X is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to ask about the free windshield-wiper replacement.
- Reference recall number 12V579 when you call, and ask whether Spartan needs the recall notice or chassis information before the appointment.
- Avoid driving in rain, snow, or low-visibility conditions until the wiper repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician replaces the windshield wipers covered by the recall. The remedy addresses the mismatch between the wiper motor shaft splines and the wiper arm shaft splines, which can leave the wipers inoperative. Spartan's filing says the safety recall began on January 15, 2013. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Before bringing the vehicle in, ask the Spartan service desk to confirm the repair path for your VIN.
Timeline
| December 10, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V579?
Recall 12V579 covers 36 2012-2013 Spartan Gladiator, Metrostar, Metrostar-X, and Force emergency rescue chassis cabs with mismatched wiper motor and wiper arm shaft splines. The mismatch can make the windshield wipers inoperative, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Gladiator, Force, or Metrostar-X is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis cab is included in recall 12V579. If it is, contact Spartan or a franchised Spartan service location and reference recall 12V579. Spartan will replace the wipers free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Spartan stated it will replace the affected wipers free of charge. The safety recall began on January 15, 2013.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility if the windshield wipers stop working. In rain, snow, spray, or other low-visibility conditions, that loss of wiper function increases crash risk. If the wipers fail while driving, stop in a safe place and arrange service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V579000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V579 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V579000 |
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 →