Recall 18V932 affects 138 2011-2019 Spartan Metrostar and Gladiator fire apparatus vehicles for delayed brake release. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 138 2011-2019 Metrostar and Gladiator fire apparatus vehicles with tandem axles, rear drum brakes, and Electronic Stability Control because the brakes can release late. That delay can hinder vehicle movement and raise crash risk; the Spartan dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The 2011-2019 Spartan Metrostar and Gladiator fire apparatus use an air brake system to apply and release the brakes with compressed air. On the affected configuration, tandem rear axles use drum brakes, and Electronic Stability Control helps the chassis manage braking and stability. The spring brake relay and treadle valve are part of that air plumbing, moving air pressure signals when the driver presses or releases the brake pedal.
On these vehicles, the trigger line for the spring brake relay was plumbed through the treadle valve to the balance port of the rear integral valve. Spartan's brake timing testing found that this setup can delay brake release on the rear axles. That delay means the brakes do not release within the timing required for the air brake standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not given a light, sound, or pedal change that identifies this brake-release delay before it happens.
Who's affected?
Spans Metrostar and Gladiator trucks across 2011-2019, with the brake system listed for each included year and model.
| 2017 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2016 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2011 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2013 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2017 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2018 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2014 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2016 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2011 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2014 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2012 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2015 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2013 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2012 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2015 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| Units affected | 138 |
| 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?
A delay in the brakes releasing can hinder vehicle movement and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before this condition, so schedule the recall repair and avoid putting the vehicle back in service if the brakes fail to release normally. Repair will be free at any franchised Spartan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2019 Spartan Metrostar or Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Review Spartan's owner notice before scheduling service; the brake-system reroute depends on Spartan's repair instructions for your VIN.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 and reference recall number 18V932 if you need the current repair status.
- Ask a franchised Spartan dealer about the free brake-system reroute that corrects the delayed brake release.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, since delayed brake release can hinder vehicle movement.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is not open yet. Once available, a Spartan technician will re-route the affected portion of the air brake system so the vehicle meets the brake release requirements for this configuration. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall. The work is aimed at correcting the delayed brake release condition on affected 2011-2019 Gladiator and Metrostar fire apparatus vehicles.
Timeline
| December 26, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 2, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 2, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 2, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 31, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 22, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V932?
Recall 18V932 covers 138 2011-2019 Spartan Metrostar and Gladiator fire apparatus vehicles with tandem axles, rear drum brakes, and Electronic Stability Control. In this configuration, delayed brake release can hinder vehicle movement and increase crash risk. Spartan dealers will re-route part of the brake system for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2019 Spartan Metrostar or Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific fire apparatus is included in recall 18V932. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan dealer or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to arrange the brake-system re-route. Reference recall 18V932 and Spartan recall number 18038 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Spartan's remedy states that dealers will re-route a portion of the brake system to bring the vehicle into compliance free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost at a franchised Spartan dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed brake release. If the brakes do not release promptly, vehicle movement can be hindered, increasing the risk of a crash. The free dealer repair re-routes part of the brake system to correct the compliance issue.
When did the Spartan recall repair begin?
The recall began February 22, 2019. Because that date has passed, affected owners should use the VIN check, then contact a franchised Spartan dealer or Spartan customer service to confirm repair availability and appointment instructions for their specific vehicle.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V932000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V932 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V932000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →