Recall 13V441 affects 75 2011-2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab buses for front control arm fractures. Free repair at any franchised Spartan Motors dealer.
Spartan Motors is recalling 75 2011-2013 Transit Bus Chassis Cab buses with independent front suspension because a manufacturing error can make the control arms fracture or break without warning. A broken lower control arm can separate from its mounting bushing, leading to loss of vehicle control and a higher crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front control arm on a 2011-2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab bus is part of the front suspension. It connects the wheel and steering knuckle to the chassis, while still allowing the wheel to move up and down over the road. On buses with independent front suspension, each front wheel relies on its own suspension links to hold its position.
On affected buses, a manufacturing error left the control arms vulnerable to fracturing or breaking. Once a control arm breaks, the front suspension no longer holds that wheel in its designed position. That changes how the bus tracks, steers, and carries weight at the front axle.
There is no warning sign before failure. A bus that feels normal before a route still needs the recall repair if its VIN is included.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2011, 2012, and 2013 model years for the same Transit Bus Chassis Cab front control-arm issue.
| 2011 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | control arm |
|---|---|
| 2012 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | control arm |
| 2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | control arm |
| Units affected | 75 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a lower control arm breaks and separates from its mounting bushing, the chassis can lose vehicle control, raising crash risk. Schedule the repair soon and ask the dealer whether the vehicle should stay out of service until inspection. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan Motors dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is included in this recall.
- Contact Spartan Motors at 1-517-543-6400 to confirm the control-arm replacement path before scheduling service.
- Ask a franchised Spartan Motors service location about the free control-arm and mounting-hardware replacement that fixes the fracture risk in the front suspension.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. If not, reference recall number 13V441 when you call.
- Avoid operating the bus until the front suspension has been inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
The repair path is to have a Spartan Motors technician replace the front suspension control arms and the related mounting hardware. That means the dealer removes the control arms covered by recall 13V441 and installs replacement parts with new mounting hardware. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The filing does not list a repair time, so ask the service desk how long the bus needs to stay at the shop when you schedule service.
Timeline
| September 18, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 24, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V441?
Recall 13V441 covers 75 2011-2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab buses with independent front suspension. A manufacturing error can let a lower control arm fracture or break without warning. Spartan Motors dealers will replace the control arms and mounting hardware for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 13V441. If it is, contact a Spartan Motors dealer to schedule control arm and mounting hardware replacement. Reference recall number 13V441 and Spartan recall number 13022 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Spartan Motors will replace the control arms and mounting hardware free of charge through its dealer network.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control if a lower control arm breaks and separates from the mounting bushing. That increases crash risk. The repair path is to have the control arms and mounting hardware replaced by a Spartan Motors dealer for free.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure. Spartan Motors reported that the control arms can fracture or break without warning, so the VIN check is the reliable way to confirm whether your specific bus is included in recall 13V441.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V441000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan Motors customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V441 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V441000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →