Recall 16V688 affects 9 2004-2010 Spartan Gladiator fire apparatus vehicles for tiller-frame cracks near outriggers. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 9 2004-2010 Gladiator tractor drawn aerial fire apparatus vehicles because the tiller frame can crack near the outriggers. A complete crack can make the vehicle unstable and increase injury risk for someone on the ladder; the Spartan dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The tiller frame on a 2004-2010 Spartan Gladiator is part of the structure of a tractor drawn aerial fire apparatus. This frame supports the rear tiller section and helps carry loads through the body while the apparatus is driven, positioned, and stabilized. The outriggers are the stabilizing legs used when the aerial device is set up at a scene, so the frame around them has to stay solid.
On affected Gladiator apparatus, the tiller frame can crack near the outriggers. Spartan listed the root cause as pending, so the filing does not give a final mechanical explanation for why the metal cracks in that area. The important defect is the crack itself: a structural member that is supposed to hold its shape and carry load starts to split where the apparatus depends on strength.
There is no warning sign before failure. Cracks can occur without warning, so an owner or fleet should not rely on noise, feel, or a dashboard light to catch this problem.
Who's affected?
Spans seven model years of Spartan Gladiator trucks, all tied to the same body or structural component.
| 2004 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2005 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
| 2006 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
| 2007 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
| 2008 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
| 2009 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
| 2010 Spartan Gladiator | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 9 |
| 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 truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fully cracked tiller frame can make the Gladiator unstable and increase the risk of injury to someone on the ladder. Cracks can occur without warning, so treat any visible cracking or ladder instability as a reason to take the vehicle out of ladder service and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2010 Spartan Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to ask whether the reinforcement-plate repair is ready for your vehicle.
- Schedule the free reinforcement-plate installation that strengthens the tiller frame near the outriggers.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V688 when you call.
- Keep the apparatus out of ladder service until Spartan or the dealer confirms the tiller-frame repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Spartan has identified the dealer repair as reinforcement plates for the tiller frame area near the outriggers. Once the repair is available for your vehicle, a Spartan technician will install those reinforcement plates free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Before scheduling, confirm that your VIN is included and ask the service desk whether the repair campaign is open for your apparatus.
Timeline
| September 23, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 18, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V688?
Recall 16V688 covers 9 2004-2010 Spartan Gladiator tractor-drawn aerial fire apparatus vehicles with tiller frames that can crack near the outriggers. If the frame fully cracks, the apparatus can become unstable. Spartan dealers will install reinforcement plates for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2010 Spartan Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific apparatus is included in recall 16V688. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan dealer or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to schedule the tiller-frame reinforcement repair. Reference recall 16V688 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Spartan's remedy says dealers will install reinforcement plates free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is ladder instability if the tiller frame fully cracks near the outriggers. That creates an injury risk for someone on the ladder. Until the repair is complete, ask Spartan or the servicing dealer whether the apparatus needs inspection before ladder use.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V688000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V688 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V688000 |
Source documents
-
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 →