Recall 19V049 affects 73 2019-2020 Spartan K1 motor home chassis for missing front-brake cotter pins. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 73 2019-2020 K1 motor home chassis because cotter pins at the actuator rod for the front brake slack adjuster are missing or improperly installed on affected chassis. If the actuator rod detaches, brake performance is reduced and stopping distance increases, raising crash risk; Spartan dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front drum brakes on the 2019-2020 Spartan K1 motor home chassis use automatic slack adjusters to keep the brake shoes set at the right distance from the drum as the brakes wear. The actuator rod moves the adjuster when the brakes are applied, and small clevis, cotter, and retainer pins hold that linkage in place.
In NHTSA campaign 19V049, the cotter pin at the actuator rod was missing or installed incorrectly on some chassis. In related inspections, the clevis pin was not installed through the actuator rod, or the retainer pin for that clevis pin was missing. If that linkage is not secured, the front brake adjuster does not stay connected as designed, reducing front braking performance.
There is no warning sign before failure. A soft brake pedal was reported in the record, but the missing or incorrectly installed pin itself is not visible to the driver during normal use.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2019 and 2020 K1 model years, with the brake system listed for both.
| 2020 Spartan K1 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Spartan K1 | brake system |
| Units affected | 73 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
If the cotter pin is missing or installed incorrectly, the actuator rod can detach, reducing brake performance and lengthening stopping distance, which increases crash risk. There is no reliable warning sign before reduced braking occurs. Drive cautiously and arrange the inspection and adjustment soon. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Spartan K1 is included in this recall.
- Contact a Spartan service center to schedule the free front-brake cotter-pin inspection and brake adjustment.
- Tell the service center the cotter pin is at the front slack adjuster actuator rod; the repair secures that rod to address reduced brake performance and longer stopping distance.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V049 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking.
What happens at the repair
At a Spartan service center, a Spartan technician inspects whether the cotter pins are installed correctly at the actuator rod for the front slack adjuster. If a pin is missing or installed wrong, the technician installs it properly and adjusts the front brakes as needed. The inspection, parts, and labor are free under the recall. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented out-of-pocket costs tied to this repair. If you already paid for a related brake repair, ask Spartan customer service how to submit the paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 23, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 7, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V049?
Recall 19V049 covers 73 2019-2020 Spartan K1 motor home chassis with front drum brakes and independent front suspension. A missing or improperly installed cotter pin at the front slack adjuster actuator rod can affect brake performance and increase stopping distance. Spartan service centers inspect and correct the pin installation for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Spartan K1 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 19V049. If it is, contact a Spartan service center to schedule the brake inspection, cotter pin correction, and brake adjustment if needed. Reference recall number 19V049 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost, and Spartan's remedy says service centers will inspect the cotter pin installation, install the pin correctly, and adjust the brakes as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced brake performance and a longer stopping distance. If the cotter pin is missing or installed incorrectly, the actuator rod can detach at the front slack adjuster. That brake problem increases crash risk, so confirm your VIN and arrange the free repair.
What if I bought my Spartan K1 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received Spartan's March 7, 2019 recall notice, check your VIN, then call a Spartan service center or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 with recall number 19V049.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V049000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V049 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V049000 |
Source documents
-
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →