Recall 16V795 covers 245 2011-2017 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab vehicles with a loose exhaust tube. Free repair at any franchised Spartan Motors dealer.
Spartan Motors is recalling 245 2011-2017 Transit Bus Chassis Cab vehicles because an exhaust tube can disconnect near the underside of the floor. Heat from exhaust gases can expose the floor for long periods and increase the risk of fire; Spartan Motors dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exhaust tube on a 2011-2017 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab carries hot exhaust gases from the engine through the underside of the bus and out through the exhaust system. It is supposed to stay joined along its routed sections, keeping heat and exhaust flow away from the floor structure above it. Because these are chassis cabs completed as transit buses, the tube sits near the underside of the passenger floor.
On affected buses, the exhaust tube can separate at a joint in the full-length routing under the floor. Spartan Motors traced warranty claims to tubes coming apart at that joint and was still evaluating the clamp used to hold the sections together. Once the joint separates, hot exhaust can blow toward the underside of the floor for a prolonged period instead of staying inside the tube.
There is no warning sign before failure. The separation can happen without a clear sound, warning light, or change an owner or operator would notice first.
Who's affected?
Spans 7 model years, all involving the same exhaust system.
| 2014 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
| 2011 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
| 2012 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
| 2013 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
| 2015 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
| 2017 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab | Exhaust system |
| Units affected | 245 |
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?
Exhaust heat reaching the floor over long periods increases the risk of a fire. This can happen without warning, so schedule the recall repair soon after your VIN is confirmed. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan Motors dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2017 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan Motors dealer to schedule the free exhaust-tube sleeve and clamp repair that keeps the joint secured under the floor.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan Motors has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V795 when you call.
- Limit use until the repair is complete, and stop operating the bus if the exhaust tube joint under the floor appears loose or separated.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan Motors technician removes the current securing clamp at the exhaust tube joint and installs a sleeve with different clamps. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related exhaust repair before the recall work, Spartan Motors has a general reimbursement plan on file. Ask the service desk or Spartan Motors customer service how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 1, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 16, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 16, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 29, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V795?
Recall 16V795 covers 245 2011-2017 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab vehicles with an exhaust tube joint that can disconnect near the underside of the floor. Prolonged exhaust heat against the floor increases fire risk. Spartan Motors dealers install a sleeve with different clamps for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2017 Spartan Motors Transit Bus Chassis Cab is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V795. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan Motors dealer or Spartan Motors customer service at 1-800-543-4277 to schedule the exhaust clamp and sleeve repair. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Spartan Motors will remove the current securing clamp and install a sleeve with different clamps free of charge at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. In recall 16V795, the exhaust tube can disconnect at a joint near the underside of the floor. If exhaust heat reaches the floor for a long period, it increases the risk of a fire.
When did the repair become available?
The repair became available after the recall began on November 29, 2016. Spartan Motors dealers remove the current securing clamp and install a sleeve with different clamps. If your VIN is included and the repair has not been completed, schedule service with a franchised dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V795000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan Motors customer service | 1-800-543-4277 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V795 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V795000 |
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 →