Recall 16V429 affects 15 2017 Spartan K3 and Gladiator chassis for an ECM short and engine stall. Repair is free at a franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 15 2017 K3 and Gladiator motorhome chassis under recall 16V429 because certain Cummins ISX15 engine control modules can short internally, blow a fuse, and stall the engine without restart. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash, and Spartan dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine control module, or ECM, on the 2017 Spartan K3 and Gladiator chassis is the computer that manages the Cummins ISX15 engine. It reads engine inputs and controls electrical commands that keep the engine running. These K3 chassis are completed as motorhomes, and Gladiator chassis are completed as emergency response vehicles.
The defect starts at the ECM connector port. Cummins reported that engines were washed after assembly and test, before paint, with a masking cap over that connector port. During the affected period, defective caps let wash water enter certain ECMs. That water, or residue left behind, can create an internal short on the printed circuit board and blow a fuse in the ECM electrical supply circuit.
When that fuse blows, the engine stalls and cannot be restarted. Owners notice the problem when the engine stalls without warning. There is no earlier warning sign before that failure.
Who's affected?
Covers the K3 and Gladiator in the 2017 model year, both tied to the ignition module in the electrical system.
| 2017 Spartan K3 | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2017 Spartan Gladiator | electrical system |
| Units affected | 15 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The 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?
An engine stall can happen without warning and increases the risk of a crash. Treat any sudden loss of engine power as a reason to move out of traffic when safe and schedule the ECM replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Spartan K3 or Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to confirm the Cummins dealer that will handle the free repair.
- Schedule the free ECM replacement that fixes the defective engine-control module linked to an unexpected engine stall.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V429 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and pull over safely if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, the defective engine control module is replaced with the remedy part. This is the module that controls engine operation on the Cummins ISX15 engine, so the repair addresses the short that can blow a fuse and stall the engine. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for this ECM repair before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| June 10, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 10, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 13, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| June 22, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V429?
Recall 16V429 covers 15 2017 Spartan K3 and Gladiator chassis equipped with Cummins ISX15 engines and certain engine control modules. The ECM can short internally, blow a fuse, and stall the engine without restart. Cummins dealers will replace the defective ECM for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Spartan K3 or Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 16V429. If it is, contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 or a Cummins dealer to schedule the ECM replacement. Reference recall number 16V429 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Spartan's remedy says Cummins dealers will replace the defective ECM with a remedy part free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unexpected engine stall. The defective ECM can short internally and blow a fuse, leaving the engine stalled without the ability to restart. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair began on June 9, 2016. Because the remedy is available, owners with an included VIN can contact Spartan customer service or a Cummins dealer to arrange the free ECM replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V429000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V429 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V429000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →