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Campaign 17V351 Posted May 31, 2017 721 units

2010-2014 Spartan K2/K3/Gladiator Recall 17V351: Starter

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 17V351 affects 721 2010-2014 Spartan Gladiator, K3, and K2 chassis for a starter defect and fire risk. Repair is free at franchised Spartan dealers.

Spartan is recalling 721 2010-2014 Gladiator, K3, and K2 chassis because a component inside the starter motor can break, which lets the starter motor overheat or draw excessive current. An overheated starter motor raises the risk of fire, and Spartan dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The starter motor on 2010-2014 Spartan Gladiator, K3, and K2 chassis is the electric motor that turns the engine when the driver starts the vehicle. It draws power from the battery and spins internal parts long enough to get the engine running on its own. Inside that starter, a retaining ring helps hold a component in its proper position.

On affected vehicles, the surface area that holds that retaining ring is not large enough. The ring can let go, and the component inside the starter motor can break. When that happens, the starter motor can overheat or draw excessive electrical current instead of operating normally. Replacement starters use more surface area for the retaining ring.

There is no warning sign before failure. The retaining ring can fail without warning, so an owner will not have a reliable sound, light, or drivability symptom to catch the problem first.

Who's affected?

Spans the Gladiator, K3, and K2 lines across 2010-2014, all tied to the starter assembly electrical system.

2013 Spartan Gladiator electrical system
2010 Spartan K3 electrical system
2010 Spartan K2 electrical system
2011 Spartan K2 electrical system
2014 Spartan K2 electrical system
Units affected721

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 overheated starter motor increases the risk of a fire. There is no warning sign before the retaining ring fails, so schedule the repair soon and stop using the vehicle if the starter overheats. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2010-2014 Spartan Gladiator, K3, or K2 chassis is included in this recall.
  2. Contact your nearest franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the free starter-motor replacement that addresses overheating or excessive current.
  3. Bring the recall notice if you received one, or reference recall number 17V351 when you call.
  4. Avoid repeated start attempts if the starter acts abnormal, overheats, or smells hot before the repair.
  5. Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277 with questions about scheduling or dealer instructions.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Spartan technician replaces the starter motor covered by the recall. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related starter repair before the recall work. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the service desk, or contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-4277 before your appointment to confirm the documentation they need.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

May 31, 2017 NHTSA published the recall
June 7, 2017 Dealer notification began
June 7, 2017 Dealer notification ended
June 23, 2017 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
July 20, 2017 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 17V351?

Recall 17V351 covers 721 2010-2014 Spartan Gladiator, K3, and K2 chassis with a starter motor defect. A component inside the starter motor can break, causing overheating or excessive current draw. That condition increases fire risk. Spartan dealers will replace the starters for free.

What should I do if my 2010-2014 Spartan Gladiator, K3, or K2 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 17V351. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the starter replacement. Reference recall number 17V351 when you call. The dealer repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Spartan's recall remedy says dealers will replace the affected starters free of charge. The free repair applies through a franchised Spartan dealer for vehicles included in recall 17V351.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is fire. A broken component inside the starter motor can cause the starter to overheat or draw excessive current. If your VIN is included, arrange the free starter replacement with a Spartan dealer.

What if I bought my Spartan chassis used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Spartan Gladiator, K3, or K2 chassis is included, then call a Spartan dealer and reference recall 17V351.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V351000
Spartan customer service1-800-543-4277
NHTSA recall #17V351
NHTSA recall # (full)17V351000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →