Recall 19V360 affects 92 2018-2020 Spartan Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, and K4 chassis for a brake-valve defect. Free repair at a Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 92 2018-2020 Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, and K4 emergency response and motor home chassis under recall 19V360 because a brake relay valve restriction can extend stopping distance. Longer stopping distance raises the risk of a crash, and Spartan dealers will repair the brake system free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The brake relay valve on these Spartan chassis is an air-brake component that controls how quickly compressed air reaches the rear service brakes when the driver presses the pedal. The valve has to open fast and release fast so the brakes apply and let go on time. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 sets the timing the valve has to meet for an air-brake system to be considered safe.
On affected chassis, a machining step was missed at the casting supplier, and the inside of the valve has an air-flow restriction. Air still moves through, but it moves slower than the standard requires. The result is a longer stopping distance than the chassis is rated for, and the rear brakes can be slow to release after the pedal lifts.
One warning sign is brake drag from the rear brakes releasing slowly. The longer stopping distance itself can show up without warning, which is why the chassis is being recalled even when nothing feels wrong day to day.
Who's affected?
Covers five Spartan chassis lines (K2, K3, K4, Metrostar, Gladiator) built across three model years, all sharing the same service-brake defect.
| 2018 Spartan K3 | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2020 Spartan K2 | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan K3 | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan K4 | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2019 Spartan K2 | brake system |
| 2018 Spartan Gladiator | brake system |
| 2018 Spartan K4 | brake system |
| 2018 Spartan Metrostar | brake system |
| Units affected | 92 |
| 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 vehicle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A failing brake valve lengthens stopping distance and raises the risk of a crash. Watch for brake drag, where the brakes release slowly after the pedal returns, but the longer stopping distance can also show up without warning. Schedule the repair soon and treat any change in brake feel as a reason to call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2020 Spartan chassis (Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, or K4) is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the brake relay valve inspection and replacement that fixes the air-flow restriction causing extended stopping distances.
- Reference recall number 19V360 when you call, and bring the Spartan owner notice if one has been mailed to you.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 with questions about the repair or your chassis eligibility.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and brake earlier than usual to account for the longer stopping distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician inspects the brake relay valve for air flow restriction and replaces the valve when needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. The reimbursement plan on file covers documented out-of-pocket expenses for related repairs paid before the recall notice. If you have paid for a brake relay valve repair on one of these chassis, bring your receipts and service paperwork to the dealer when you arrive, or contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to ask how the reimbursement plan applies to your records.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 13, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| May 17, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 14, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 19, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V360?
Recall 19V360 covers 92 2018-2020 Spartan Gladiator, MetroStar, K2, K3, and K4 emergency response chassis cabs and motor home chassis with a brake relay valve air flow restriction that can extend stopping distance and increase crash risk. Spartan dealers will inspect and replace the valves as needed at no cost.
What should I do if my 2018-2020 Spartan chassis is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 19V360. If it is, contact a Spartan dealer to schedule the brake relay valve inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 19V360 when you call, or reach Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform the recall repair at no cost. Spartan dealers will inspect the brake relay valve and replace it as necessary free of charge, regardless of where the chassis was originally purchased or upfitted.
What is the safety risk with the Spartan brake relay valve?
An air flow restriction in the brake relay valve can extend stopping distance, which increases crash risk. The chassis also fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 for air brake systems. Schedule the free inspection and valve replacement at a Spartan dealer as soon as your VIN is confirmed.
What if I bought my Spartan chassis used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific chassis is included in recall 19V360, then contact a Spartan dealer or call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 to schedule the inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V360000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V360 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V360000 |
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 →