Recall 19V898 affects 3 2015, 2019 Maintainer Custom Body vehicles for unprotected tire-chain control lines. Repair is free at any franchised Maintainer dealer.
Maintainer is recalling 3 2015, 2019 Custom Body emergency response vehicles equipped with a pneumatic automatic tire chain system because the air pressure control lines are not pressure-protected. If a control line is severed, air can be lost from the service reservoir, the brakes can apply unexpectedly, and the repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The automatic tire chain system on the 2015, 2019 Maintainer Custom Body heavy rescue vehicles uses air pressure to deploy tire chains when crews need added traction. That air comes from the vehicle's air brake reservoirs, the tanks that store compressed air for the brake system. The control lines for the tire chain system are supposed to be isolated so the chain system cannot drain air needed for braking.
On the affected trucks, a pressure protection valve was not specified where the tire chain control line connects to the system 1 and system 2 air reservoirs. That valve is the safeguard that preserves brake air pressure if an accessory line leaks or draws too much air. Without it, the tire chain plumbing can reduce air available to the service brakes.
Owners or operators should hear a low-air warning and see the related indicator when pressure drops to the set level. Treat that warning as a brake-air problem, not only a tire-chain issue.
Who's affected?
Both model years point to the same air-brake reservoir component.
| 2015 Maintainer Custom Body | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Maintainer Custom Body | brake system |
| Units affected | 3 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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 unprotected control line can let air suddenly leave the service reservoir system after the line is severed. That air loss can cause the brakes to apply unexpectedly and increase the risk of a crash. A low air alarm and indicator give a warning as pressure drops. Repair is free at any franchised Maintainer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015, 2019 Maintainer Custom Body is included in this recall.
- Contact Maintainer customer service to schedule the free Spartan dealer inspection and repair.
- Schedule the control-line inspection and rerouting that pressure-protects the automatic tire-chain control lines from sudden service-reservoir air loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Maintainer has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V898 when you call.
- Drive with extra following distance until the inspection is complete, and stop service if the brakes apply unexpectedly.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Maintainer technician inspects the routing of the automatic tire chain system air pressure control lines. If the lines are not routed correctly, the technician reroutes them into the auxiliary air reservoir. The inspection and any needed rerouting are free under the recall. Maintainer has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for a related repair before the recall work. Bring repair paperwork or receipts to the service desk so the claim can be reviewed under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 17, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
|---|---|
| December 17, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 18, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| December 23, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V898?
Recall 19V898 covers 3 2015, 2019 Maintainer Custom Body Heavy Rescue emergency response vehicles with a pneumatically controlled automatic tire chain system. The air pressure control lines were not pressure-protected, and Spartan dealers will inspect and reroute them for free.
What should I do if my 2015, 2019 Maintainer Custom Body is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency response vehicle is included in recall 19V898. If it is, contact a Spartan dealer or Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 to arrange the control-line inspection and routing repair. The recall repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Maintainer's remedy says Spartan dealers will inspect the control-line routing and reroute the lines into the auxiliary air reservoir as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is unexpected brake application. If a control line is severed without pressure protection, air can suddenly be lost from the service reservoir system, causing the brakes to apply unexpectedly and increasing crash risk. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer inspection.
When did Maintainer notify owners about this recall?
Maintainer notified owners, and the recall began December 23, 2019. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Custom Body is included, then reference recall 19V898 when contacting service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V898000 |
|---|---|
| Maintainer customer service | 1-800-831-8588 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V898 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V898000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →