Recall 15V388 affects 144 2015-2016 Spartan K3, Mm, and K2 chassis for loose rear-axle stay rod fasteners. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 144 2015-2016 K2, K3, and Mm chassis because rear axle stay rod fasteners were installed without thread locker or tightened in the wrong sequence. Loose fasteners can let the stay rod disconnect from the rear axle, which can cause loss of control and raise crash risk; Spartan dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The stay rod, also called a v-rod, is part of the rear drive axle mounting on 2015-2016 Spartan K3, Mm, and K2 motor home chassis. It helps hold the rear axle in its intended position as the chassis accelerates, brakes, turns, and carries weight. The fasteners at the stay rod connection keep that axle location fixed under load.
On affected chassis, those fasteners were installed without thread locker or were tightened in the wrong sequence. Thread locker helps keep bolts from backing out, and the tightening order helps the joint clamp evenly. Spartan traced the issue to missing production controls for supplier installation instructions, so the assembly line did not get the required thread locker and torque sequence information.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is in the axle attachment hardware, so the first clear indication can be the loose joint itself during inspection.
Who's affected?
Spans the K3, Mm, and K2 chassis lines across the 2015-2016 model years, all tied to the drive axle.
| 2016 Spartan K3 | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2016 Spartan Mm | drive axle |
| 2015 Spartan Mm | drive axle |
| 2016 Spartan K2 | drive axle |
| 2015 Spartan K3 | drive axle |
| 2015 Spartan K2 | drive axle |
| Units affected | 144 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year, model, and chassis line does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose stay rod fasteners can let the stay rod disconnect from the rear axle. That can cause loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. This can happen without warning, so avoid delaying the repair and drive cautiously until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Spartan K3, Mm, or K2 chassis is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the free stay-rod fastener repair that adds thread lock and tightens the rear-axle hardware.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one. Reference recall number 15V388 when you call.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454 with questions about scheduling or recall coverage.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, because loose stay-rod fasteners can disconnect the rod from the rear axle and cause loss of control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician replaces the rear drive axle stay rod fasteners, applies thread lock, and tightens the hardware in the required sequence to the specified torque values. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this related repair before the recall notice. If that applies to you, ask Spartan customer service what documentation they need for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 17, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 17, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 19, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| June 26, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 11, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V388?
Recall 15V388 covers 144 2015-2016 Spartan K2, K3, and Mm chassis with rear drive axle stay rod fasteners that were installed without thread locker or tightened out of sequence. If the fasteners loosen, the stay rod can disconnect from the rear axle and cause loss of control.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Spartan K3, Mm, or K2 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 15V388. If it is, contact a Spartan dealer to schedule the fastener replacement. Reference recall 15V388 or Spartan recall number 15010 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, and Spartan dealers will replace the rear axle stay rod fasteners with thread lock and tighten them in the proper sequence for free.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. In recall 15V388, loose stay rod fasteners can let the stay rod disconnect from the rear axle, increasing crash risk. Check your VIN before scheduling service, then have a Spartan dealer complete the free repair.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on August 11, 2015. Because the remedy is available, an included 2015-2016 Spartan K2, K3, or Mm chassis can be scheduled for the free dealer repair now. Spartan customer service is available at 1-800-582-3454.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V388000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-582-3454 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V388 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V388000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - 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 →