Recall 13V613 covers 3 2002, 2009, 2013 Spartan Gladiator and Metrostar emergency vehicles with seat belt buckles that stick. Free dealer repair.
Spartan is recalling 3 emergency response vehicles from 2002, 2009, 2013, including Gladiator and Metrostar models, because IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles can leave the latch plate partly engaged after release. A buckle that does not release cleanly can slow exit in an emergency and raise injury risk; the Spartan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat belt buckle in these 2002, 2009, 2013 Spartan Gladiator and Metrostar emergency response vehicles is the receiver side of the belt. The latch plate is the metal tongue on the belt webbing; it clicks into the buckle to hold the occupant in place, then releases when the button is pressed.
The recalled vehicles use IMMI-brand L9 buckles. When the release button is pressed, the latch plate can remain partly caught in the buckle instead of coming free cleanly. That makes the belt hard to unlatch, so the buckle does not work as required for a seat belt assembly.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up when someone presses the buckle button and the belt stays partly engaged instead of releasing.
Who's affected?
Spans Gladiator and Metrostar vehicles from the 2002, 2009, and 2013 model years, all involving the seat belt.
| 2013 Spartan Gladiator | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2002 Spartan Metrostar | seat belt |
| 2009 Spartan Gladiator | seat belt |
| Units affected | 3 |
The listed 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?
A seat belt latch plate that stays partly engaged after the release button is pressed can slow exit from the vehicle and increase injury risk during an emergency. If the buckle does not release cleanly, stop using that seat and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002, 2009, or 2013 Spartan Gladiator or Metrostar is included in this recall.
- Contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400 for the current repair instructions before scheduling service.
- Ask a franchised Spartan service dealer about the seat-belt-buckle inspection and replacement that fixes buckles that stay partly latched after release.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V613 when you call.
- Use extra care when releasing the seat belt until the repair is complete, since a partly latched buckle can slow exit in an emergency.
What happens at the repair
Spartan's remedy calls for a Spartan technician to inspect the IMMI brand L9 seat belt buckles and replace affected buckles as needed. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN. Owner notices were expected to begin in January 2014, so ask the Spartan service desk to confirm campaign 13V613 before scheduling. The work focuses on buckles that can hold the latch plate after the release button is pressed, leaving the belt difficult to unlatch.
Timeline
| December 6, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 7, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V613?
Recall 13V613 covers 3 Spartan emergency response vehicles with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles that can stay partly engaged after the release button is pressed. The affected vehicles are certain 2002 Metrostar and 2009 or 2013 Gladiator models. Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the buckles for free as needed.
What should I do if my 2002 Spartan Metrostar or 2009 or 2013 Spartan Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency response vehicle is included in recall 13V613. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the seat belt buckle inspection and replacement. Reference Spartan recall number 13026 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Spartan dealers will inspect the affected seat belt buckles and replace them as needed free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is delayed exit from the vehicle in an emergency. If the latch plate stays partly engaged after the release button is pressed, the seat belt becomes difficult to unlatch. That hindered egress increases injury risk during an emergency.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a seat belt that does not release cleanly when you press the buckle button. The latch plate can stay partly engaged with the buckle, leaving the belt difficult to unlatch. If that happens, ask the dealer to inspect the buckle under recall 13V613.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V613000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V613 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V613000 |
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 →