Recall 15V170 affects 292 2011-2016 Spartan Sb school bus chassis for fuel/water separator heater overheating. Repair will be free once available.
Spartan is recalling 292 2011-2016 Sb school bus chassis because fuel/water separator heater terminals and connectors can melt, let air into the fuel system, and stall the engine. The overheated terminals can also ignite nearby connector, harness, and other material, raising fire 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 fuel/water separator on a diesel school bus chassis removes water from the fuel before it reaches the engine. Its heater uses electrical terminals and connectors to keep fuel flowing in cold conditions. On 2011-2016 Spartan Sb school bus chassis, that electrical connection is the problem area.
The heater terminals and connectors can overheat and melt. When the connector melts, air can enter the fuel system, which interrupts fuel delivery and can stall the engine. The same heat can ignite the connector, wiring harness, or nearby materials. The cause had not been identified in the recall information.
There is no warning sign before failure. The melting can happen without warning, so a driver or service shop should not wait for a dashboard light, smell, or change in engine sound before taking the recall seriously.
Who's affected?
Spans six model years of the Sb, all tied to the fuel system.
| 2014 Spartan Sb | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Spartan Sb | fuel system |
| 2015 Spartan Sb | fuel system |
| 2016 Spartan Sb | fuel system |
| 2011 Spartan Sb | fuel system |
| 2013 Spartan Sb | fuel system |
| Units affected | 292 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Overheated terminals can result in a vehicle fire, and there is no warning sign before melting. Confirm whether your VIN is included and plan the dealer repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Spartan Sb is included in this recall.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400 to ask for current repair instructions before the bus is used.
- Ask when the fuel/water separator harness bracket, filter head assembly, and connecting harness are available for your chassis; those parts address the melting heater terminals that can stall the engine or start a fire.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. Reference recall number 15V170 when you call.
- Avoid operating the bus until Spartan gives repair instructions and the fuel-system repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still listed as under development, so do not treat the remedy as schedulable until Spartan confirms it is open for your VIN. Once available, a Spartan technician will install a bracket to secure the harness to the heated fuel water separator, then install the new filter head assembly and connecting harness. The recall repair will be free, with parts and labor covered. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. Ask Spartan customer service what documentation is required for that claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 20, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 24, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| December 2, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V170?
Recall 15V170 covers 292 2011-2016 Spartan Sb school bus chassis with fuel/water separator heater terminals and connectors that can melt, let air into the fuel system, and cause an engine stall. Spartan's remedy adds a securing bracket, a new filter head assembly, and a connecting harness for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2016 Spartan Sb is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus chassis is included in recall 15V170. If it is, contact a Spartan service center or franchised Spartan dealer and reference recall 15V170 or Spartan recall number 15006. Spartan customer service is 1-517-543-6400.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Spartan's remedy says the bracket, new filter head assembly, connecting harness, and installation are supplied free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine stall or vehicle fire. Air entering the fuel system can stall the engine, which increases crash risk, and overheated terminals can ignite the connector, harness, and nearby materials. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free repair path with Spartan.
When did Spartan begin this recall?
Spartan began this recall on December 2, 2015. If you manage or own a 2011-2016 Spartan Sb school bus chassis and never received a notice, check your VIN and reference recall 15V170 when contacting Spartan or the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V170000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V170 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V170000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →