Recall 13V066 affects 27 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar and Gladiator fire trucks for APS shorts that deploy airbags. Free repair at a franchised Spartan dealer once available.
Spartan is recalling 27 2012-2013 Metrostar and Gladiator fire trucks because circuits in the Takata-supplied advanced protection system control module can short and deploy the air bag without a crash. An unintended deployment can injure occupants or raise crash risk, and the Spartan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Spartan advanced protection system on the 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar and Gladiator fire trucks is the air bag safety system installed in the cab. Its control module is the electronic box that monitors the system and sends the deployment command when the crash sensors call for an air bag.
In this recall, the problem is inside that control module. Circuits in the module can short, meaning electricity travels where it is not supposed to go. When that happens, the module can trigger an air bag even though the truck has not been in the kind of crash event that should deploy it.
There is no warning sign before failure. A crew or driver should not expect a light, sound, or change in how the truck drives before an unintended air bag deployment.
Who's affected?
Spans the Metrostar and Gladiator across the 2012 and 2013 model years, with air bag and electrical system components included.
| 2013 Spartan Metrostar | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Spartan Metrostar | electrical system |
| 2012 Spartan Metrostar | air bag system |
| 2012 Spartan Metrostar | electrical system |
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | air bag system |
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | electrical system |
| 2013 Spartan Gladiator | air bag system |
| 2013 Spartan Gladiator | electrical system |
| Units affected | 27 |
The year, make, 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?
An inadvertent air bag deployment can injure occupants or increase crash risk while the vehicle is being used. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and drive with care until it is complete. 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 or Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Review the Spartan owner notice if you received one, then follow its instructions for the free APS control-module harness repair.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 with questions about current repair instructions.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the sub-wire harness installation that fixes the APS control-module short tied to unintended air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V066 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician installs a new sub wire harness on the control module for the Advanced Protection System. The added harness addresses the electrical short risk tied to unintended air bag deployment. Spartan's filing says the recall was expected to begin in March 2013, but this source does not confirm a current remedy status. Once the dealer repair is available for an included VIN, the harness installation is free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered.
Timeline
| February 28, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 23, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V066?
Recall 13V066 covers 27 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar and Gladiator fire trucks equipped with a Spartan advanced protection system supplied by Takata Protection Systems. Circuits in the APS control module can short and trigger unintended air bag deployment. Spartan dealers install a new sub-wire harness for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Spartan Metrostar or Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 13V066. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the APS control module sub-wire harness repair. Reference recall number 13V066 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 says dealers will install a new sub-wire harness on the APS control module free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V066?
The safety risk is unintended air bag deployment. Spartan reported that a short in the APS control module can deploy the air bag without a crash, resulting in personal injury or increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V066000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V066 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V066000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →