Recall 18V647 covers 4 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar emergency vehicles with improperly heat-treated wheel studs. Any included vehicle has already received the recall repair.
Spartan is recalling 4 2018-2019 Metrostar emergency vehicles because wheel studs on the steer axle hub were not properly heat treated and can fail. If enough studs fail on the same hub, the wheel can detach and raise crash risk; Spartan dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The wheel studs on 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar emergency vehicles fasten each wheel to the hub on the steer axle. The hub supports the wheel and lets it rotate with the axle assembly, while the studs and lug nuts hold the wheel tight under braking, steering, and load.
On affected Metrostar vehicles, certain wheel studs were not properly heat treated before they were installed in Meritor hub assemblies. Heat treatment gives the metal the hardness and strength it needs. Without that step done correctly, a stud can crack or break under normal service loads. If enough clamping force is lost, the wheel can loosen from the hub.
There is no warning sign before failure. The wheel studs can fail without a sound, warning light, or change in steering feel, so the problem has to be handled through the recall inspection and repair path.
Who's affected?
Both model years use the same drive axle component in this recall.
| 2018 Spartan Metrostar | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2019 Spartan Metrostar | drive axle |
| Units affected | 4 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improperly heat treated wheel studs can fail on the same steer axle hub. If several fail, the wheel can detach and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN was included before putting the vehicle back in service. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to confirm the free wheel-stud repair that addresses improperly heat-treated studs on the steer axle hub.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 if the dealer cannot confirm the repair status.
- Reference recall number 18V647 and Spartan recall 18027 when you call.
- Avoid service use until Spartan or the dealer confirms the wheel-stud repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Spartan reports that all affected vehicles have already been repaired. At the dealer or service center, a Spartan technician can confirm the wheel stud recall repair is complete and that the completed work is documented for your Metrostar. The recall repair is free. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file, so if you paid out of pocket for a related wheel stud repair before the recall work was completed, contact Spartan customer service or bring documentation to the service desk to ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| September 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
| September 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 26, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V647?
Recall 18V647 covers 4 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar emergency vehicles with steer axle hub wheel studs that were not properly heat treated. If enough studs fail on the same hub, the wheel can detach, increasing crash risk. Spartan says all affected vehicles have been repaired.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Metrostar is included in recall 18V647. If it is, contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 or a franchised Spartan service location and reference Spartan recall number 18027. Spartan says all affected vehicles have already been repaired.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Spartan says every affected Metrostar in recall 18V647 has already been repaired. If your VIN is listed, ask Spartan to confirm the completed wheel-stud repair.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is wheel separation from the steer axle hub. The recall says the wheel studs were not properly heat treated, and if enough studs fail on the same hub, the wheel can detach. That increases crash risk, so VIN confirmation matters even for a small 4-vehicle recall.
Will Spartan mail an owner notice for this recall?
No. Spartan says all affected vehicles were repaired, so owner notification letters were not mailed. The recall began June 26, 2018. If you manage or own a 2018-2019 Spartan Metrostar, check your VIN and reference recall 18V647 when contacting Spartan.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V647000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V647 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V647000 |
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 →