Recall 16V537 affects 39 2011-2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab vehicles for cracked frames. Interim welding is free until final reinforcement opens.
Spartan Motors is recalling 39 2011-2015 Transit Bus Chassis Cab vehicles built to become CNG transit buses because the frame can crack. The safety concern is reduced driver control and increased crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Spartan Motors opens the final remedy.
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What's wrong?
The frame on a 2011-2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is the main steel structure under the bus. It carries the body, suspension, drivetrain, and CNG fuel system, and it keeps those heavy parts aligned as the bus turns, brakes, and crosses uneven pavement.
On affected chassis cabs, that frame can crack. Spartan Motors reported cracks on certain transit buses completed by Glaval Bus and equipped with compressed natural gas, including cracks on the left and right sides of the frame. The exact cause was not known in the filing, so owners and fleet operators should treat any frame crack as a structural defect that needs dealer attention.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not expect a dashboard light, sound, or handling change before the frame begins to crack; the problem is found through inspection or after visible cracking is present.
Who's affected?
Spans five model years, all tied to the same frame and structural component.
| 2012 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2014 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | body or structural component |
| 2011 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | body or structural component |
| 2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | body or structural component |
| 2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 39 |
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?
A cracked frame can reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. Cracks occur without warning, so schedule service promptly and avoid trips that do not need to happen until a dealer checks it. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan Motors dealer once Spartan Motors opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is included in this recall.
- Wait for Spartan Motors' final repair instructions before scheduling the chassis-rail reinforcement.
- Contact a franchised Spartan Motors dealer about the interim frame inspection and weld repair for cracked frames.
- Reference recall number 16V537 and Spartan Motors recall 16019 when you call.
- Limit service until the frame is inspected, especially if the bus shows frame cracking or handling changes.
What happens at the repair
Spartan Motors' interim fix is for the dealer to weld any cracked frame areas on the transit bus chassis. The final remedy is reinforcement added to both chassis rails, and that final dealer repair will be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Spartan Motors has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented out-of-pocket repairs tied to this recall. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Spartan Motors customer service to ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 15, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| July 19, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 5, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V537?
Recall 16V537 covers 39 2011-2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab vehicles built for compressed natural gas transit bus use with frames that can crack. A cracked frame can reduce driver control and increase crash risk. Spartan Motors' final remedy adds reinforcement to both chassis rails for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis cab is included in recall 16V537. If it is, contact a Spartan Motors dealer or Spartan Motors customer service at 1-517-543-6400 and reference recall 16019. Dealers weld cracked frames as an interim fix, and the final reinforcement repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Spartan Motors' remedy says dealers will weld cracked frames as an interim fix, then add reinforcement to both chassis rails as the final remedy, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced vehicle control from a cracked frame. This affects chassis cabs completed as compressed natural gas transit buses, so fleet operators should confirm VIN status and coordinate service before further use patterns add stress to the frame.
When were owners notified about recall 16V537?
Spartan Motors sent an interim owner notice on July 18, 2016, and the recall began on October 5, 2016. If the vehicle changed owners after those notices, check your VIN and contact Spartan Motors customer service with recall 16019.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V537000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan Motors customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V537 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V537000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →