Recall 13V628 covers 37 2006-2010 Spartan emergency vehicles for cracked front-suspension welds. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
Spartan is recalling 37 2006-2010 Metrostar, Advantage, Diamond, and Gladiator emergency response vehicles equipped with Ridgewell independent front suspensions because welds on the front suspension cradles can crack. If those welds crack, the vehicle can become harder to steer and the risk of a crash increases; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The independent front suspension on affected 2006-2010 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Diamond, and Gladiator emergency response vehicles supports the front axle area while allowing each front wheel to move separately over bumps. Its cradle is the structural frame that holds key suspension pieces in position. Those mounting points must stay solid so steering and suspension loads pass through the chassis as designed.
On these vehicles, the recall focuses on Ridgewell Corporation IFS cradles. The welds on the cradle can crack, which means the metal joints that tie the cradle together start to separate instead of carrying load as one structure. As the crack grows, the front suspension loses some of the strength and alignment support it needs during driving, braking, and turning.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem is inside the front suspension structure, an owner should not rely on noise, ride feel, or a visible dashboard alert to decide whether the vehicle is included.
Who's affected?
Spans the Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and Metrostar lines across the 2006-2010 model years, all tied to the front suspension.
| 2009 Spartan Metrostar | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2007 Spartan Advantage | front suspension |
| 2006 Spartan Diamond | front suspension |
| 2007 Spartan Diamond | front suspension |
| 2010 Spartan Metrostar | front suspension |
| 2006 Spartan Gladiator | front suspension |
| 2007 Spartan Gladiator | front suspension |
| 2008 Spartan Gladiator | front suspension |
| 2009 Spartan Gladiator | front suspension |
| 2010 Spartan Gladiator | front suspension |
| Units affected | 37 |
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?
Cracked welds can make the vehicle harder to steer and increase the risk of a crash. Treat any steering difficulty as a reason to slow down, stop in a safe place, and call the dealer before continuing. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2010 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Diamond, or Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Wait for Spartan's repair notice or dealer confirmation that remedy parts are open for your VIN.
- Ask a franchised Spartan dealer about the free repair for cracking IFS cradle welds, including crack repair and reinforcement-bracket installation.
- Reference recall number 13V628 when you call Spartan customer service or the dealer.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. If steering becomes difficult, stop using the vehicle and call Spartan or the dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician inspects the independent front suspension cradle welds, repairs any cracks found, and installs reinforcement brackets. The dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The repair applies to equipped 2006-2010 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Diamond, and Gladiator emergency response vehicles with Ridgewell independent front suspensions. Ask the service desk what movement or inspection guidance applies before the vehicle is put back into service.
Timeline
| December 18, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V628?
Recall 13V628 covers 37 Spartan emergency response vehicles from 2006-2010, including Metrostar, Advantage, Diamond, and Gladiator models with Ridgewell independent front suspensions. The front suspension cradle welds can crack, leading to steering difficulty and a higher crash risk.
What should I do if my 2006-2010 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Diamond, or Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency response vehicle is included in recall 13V628. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan dealer or Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Reference recall number 13V628 and Spartan recall number 13028 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Spartan's remedy says dealers will repair cracks and install reinforcement brackets free of charge. The free repair applies through the franchised dealer process for vehicles included by VIN.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is steering difficulty if the independent front suspension cradle welds crack. That loss of steering control raises crash risk, especially for an emergency response vehicle. Use the VIN check first, then ask the dealer what inspection, movement, or service instructions apply to your vehicle.
What if I bought this Spartan emergency response vehicle used?
The free recall repair still follows the vehicle. A prior owner or fleet transfer does not remove the recall obligation. Check your VIN, then give the dealer recall number 13V628 and Spartan recall number 13028 so the service desk can confirm coverage.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V628000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V628 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V628000 |
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 →