Recall 20V138 affects 86 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator and Metrostar emergency vehicles for a park-brake control-line defect. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
Spartan is recalling 86 2019-2020 Gladiator and Metrostar emergency vehicles because the park brake control line can loosen and separate, unintentionally applying the park brake while the vehicle is moving. That sudden brake application can cause rapid deceleration and loss of control, and Spartan dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The parking brake control line on 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator and Metrostar emergency vehicles is an air line connected to the park brake valve. That valve uses air pressure to control when the parking brake stays released or applies. The line and its fitting have to stay tight so the valve receives the correct air signal.
On affected vehicles, the ferrule, the small compression sleeve that helps clamp the line into the fitting, was not tightened enough during assembly. A loose ferrule lets the control line back out of the fitting and separate from the valve. When that happens, the park brake can apply without the driver choosing it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air line can come loose without warning, so the first sign can be the parking brake applying unexpectedly while the vehicle is being moved or driven.
Who's affected?
Covers two Spartan models from the 2019 and 2020 model years, both tied to the air parking brake system.
| 2020 Spartan Gladiator | Air |
|---|---|
| 2019 Spartan Gladiator | Air |
| 2019 Spartan Metrostar | Air |
| 2020 Spartan Metrostar | Air |
| Units affected | 86 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident 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?
If the park brake applies while the vehicle is moving, the vehicle can suddenly decelerate, lose control, and increase crash risk. There is no warning before the air line comes loose. If the brake engages unexpectedly, slow carefully, pull over, and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator or Metrostar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan dealer to schedule the free park-brake control-line inspection and tightening, the repair for the control line that can loosen and apply the park brake.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V138 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop safely if the park brake applies while the vehicle is moving.
- Call Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008 with questions about scheduling or recall number 20V138.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan technician inspects the park brake fitting control line and tightens the fitting as needed so the line stays secured. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, and the repair is available now. Spartan has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a related park brake control line repair, bring repair documentation to the service desk or contact Spartan customer service to request reimbursement review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 9, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| March 10, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
| March 16, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 18, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 26, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V138?
Recall 20V138 covers 86 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator and Metrostar emergency vehicles with a park brake control line that can loosen and separate. If that happens while the vehicle is moving, the park brake can apply, causing sudden deceleration, loss of control, and crash risk.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 Spartan Gladiator or Metrostar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 20V138. If it is, contact a Spartan dealer to schedule inspection of the park brake control line fitting. The dealer will tighten the fitting as needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Spartan dealers will inspect and tighten the park brake control line fitting as needed for free under recall 20V138.
Is it safe to drive a Spartan Gladiator or Metrostar with this recall?
The recall does not include a do-not-drive order, but the defect affects vehicle control. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair promptly and tell the service desk the park brake can apply while the vehicle is moving.
What if I bought the Spartan emergency vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Gladiator or Metrostar is included, then reference recall 20V138 and Spartan recall number 20005 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V138000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan customer service | 1-800-543-5008 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V138 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V138000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →