Recall 14V623 affects 389 2006-2013 Spartan Advantage, Diamond, Gladiator, and Metrostar emergency vehicles for transmission cooler failure. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 389 2006-2013 Metrostar, Advantage, Gladiator, and Diamond emergency vehicles because the transmission fluid cooler can fail and let engine coolant mix with transmission fluid. That fluid mix can keep the transmission from shifting properly and increase crash risk; the Spartan dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The transmission fluid cooler on 2006-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Gladiator, and Diamond emergency vehicles is the heat exchanger for the automatic transmission. Transmission fluid moves through the cooler so it can shed heat while staying separate from engine coolant. That separation matters because transmission fluid is also the hydraulic fluid that helps the transmission shift and stay lubricated.
In the affected vehicles, the cooler is at risk of internal failure. When the barrier inside the cooler fails, engine coolant enters the transmission fluid instead of staying in its own cooling circuit. The contaminated fluid no longer has the same lubricating and pressure-control properties, so the transmission is no longer being protected or operated with the fluid it was designed to use.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the problem has already happened, a service technician can identify coolant mixed with transmission fluid during inspection or repair.
Who's affected?
Spans four Spartan truck lines from 2006-2013, all tied to the same automatic transmission cooling-line component.
| 2011 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2008 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2006 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2008 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2010 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2007 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2011 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2010 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2010 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2009 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2008 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2006 Spartan Diamond | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2011 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2009 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2007 Spartan Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2006 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2007 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2009 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2011 Spartan Advantage | automatic transmission |
| 2006 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2007 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2008 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2009 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2010 Spartan Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 389 |
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?
Coolant mixing with transmission fluid can keep the transmission from shifting properly, which increases crash risk. If the vehicle hesitates, shifts unexpectedly, or does not shift as expected, limit driving and contact the dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Gladiator, or Diamond is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to confirm parts status and repair scheduling.
- Schedule the free transmission-fluid-cooler replacement, the repair for coolant mixing with transmission fluid and transmission shift problems.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V623 when you call.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400 with questions before the repair visit.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician installs a new transmission fluid cooler so engine coolant and transmission fluid stay separated as designed. Spartan's notice said parts were not available when the interim owner letter was mailed on November 25, 2014, and that owners would receive another letter when parts were available. The dealer repair is free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the Spartan service desk to confirm parts status for campaign 14V623 before arranging service.
Timeline
| October 6, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 9, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V623?
Recall 14V623 covers 389 2006-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Gladiator, and Diamond emergency vehicles with a transmission fluid cooler that can fail and let engine coolant mix with transmission fluid. Spartan dealers install a new transmission fluid cooler for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2013 Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Gladiator, or Diamond is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 14V623. If it is, contact a Spartan dealer to schedule the transmission fluid cooler replacement. Reference recall number 14V623 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost, and Spartan's remedy says dealers will install a new transmission fluid cooler free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 14V623?
The safety risk is improper transmission shifting. If engine coolant mixes with transmission fluid, the transmission can stop shifting correctly, increasing crash risk. The fix is a new transmission fluid cooler installed by a Spartan dealer for free.
What if I bought this Spartan emergency vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Spartan Metrostar, Advantage, Gladiator, or Diamond is included, then reference recall number 14V623 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V623000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V623 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V623000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →