Recall 13V352 affects 159 2005-2012 Spartan Erv Star Series emergency vehicles for backing-out hydraulic ladder rack pins. Repair is free through Spartan Erv.
Spartan Erv is recalling 159 2005-2012 Star Series emergency vehicles with hydraulic ladder racks because the pins that hold the ladder in place can back out over time. If that happens, the ladder and rack arm assembly can collapse and increase injury risk; the Spartan Erv dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On 2005-2012 Spartan Erv Star Series emergency vehicles, the hydraulic ladder rack is the equipment that stores and moves a ladder on the vehicle body. The retaining pins are small locking pieces that hold the ladder in place after it is loaded into the rack. The rack depends on those pins staying seated so the ladder remains secured.
On affected vehicles, the pins can back out over time. Once a pin moves out of position, the ladder is no longer held in the rack the way it was designed. The problem is not a driver-control system or an engine part, but it affects equipment that is carried on the emergency vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first visible clue is a retaining pin that has already moved out of position or a ladder that is no longer seated correctly.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2005 through 2012 model years, all tied to the same equipment component.
| 2012 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2008 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| 2007 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| 2006 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| 2010 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| 2011 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| 2009 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| 2005 Spartan Erv Star Series | Equipment |
| Units affected | 159 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the ladder rack pins back out, the ladder and rack arm assembly can collapse and injure someone near the vehicle. Keep people clear of the ladder area and contact a Spartan Erv dealer about the recall work. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan Erv dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2012 Spartan Erv Star Series emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Contact Spartan Erv customer service at 1-800-867-6478, Option 2, to ask where to complete the free ladder-rack spacer and locking-nut repair that keeps the hydraulic ladder-rack pins from backing out.
- Reference recall number 13V352 when you call so Spartan Erv can match your vehicle to the correct repair.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, or bring your VIN and recall number 13V352 to the repair appointment.
- Avoid using the hydraulic ladder rack until the spacer and locking-nut repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The known repair is straightforward: at the dealer, a Spartan Erv technician installs spacers and locking nuts so the ladder rack pins stay in place instead of backing out over time. Spartan Erv says this work is free of charge. Because the repair is not listed here as available, treat the final dealer repair as free once available and confirm scheduling with a Spartan Erv service contact before moving the vehicle in for recall work.
Timeline
| August 12, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 25, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V352?
Recall 13V352 covers 159 2005-2012 Spartan Erv Star Series emergency vehicles with hydraulic ladder racks. The ladder-retaining pins can back out over time, letting the ladder and rack arm assembly collapse and increasing the risk of personal injury.
What should I do if my 2005-2012 Spartan Erv Star Series is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 13V352. If it is, call Spartan Erv at 1-800-867-6478, Option 2, and reference recall 13V352 when you ask for the spacer and locking-nut repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Spartan Erv will install spacers and locking nuts to keep the ladder-rack pins from backing out, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a ladder and ladder-rack arm assembly collapse. If the pins back out, the rack assembly can fail and increase the risk of personal injury around the emergency vehicle. The free repair adds spacers and locking nuts to keep the pins secured.
What if I bought this Spartan Erv Star Series used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then call Spartan Erv or a Spartan Erv service dealer with recall number 13V352 so the service desk can confirm the repair status.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V352000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan Erv customer service | 1-800-867-6478 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V352 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V352000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →