Recall 21V618 affects 8 2019-2021 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar and Spartan Gladiator emergency vehicles for power-steering-pump seal failure. Repair will be free at a franchised Custom Fire dealer once available.
Custom Fire is recalling 8 2019-2021 Spartan Metrostar and Spartan Gladiator emergency vehicles because pressure can build in the power steering pump and break the shaft seal, causing loss of power steering assist. Loss of assist makes the vehicle harder to steer and raises crash risk; the repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic power steering pump on 2019-2021 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar and Spartan Gladiator emergency vehicles helps the driver turn the wheels with less steering effort. The pump moves pressurized fluid through the steering system, so a heavy emergency vehicle can be steered at low speed, during tight maneuvers, and when positioning at a scene.
The recalled part is the pump shift solenoid, a control part tied to how the steering pump manages pressure. On affected vehicles, pressure builds inside the power steering pump. That pressure breaks the shaft seal, the seal around the rotating pump shaft. Once the seal fails, the system loses power steering assist and the steering wheel becomes much harder to turn.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing a driver notices is the loss of power assist itself: heavier steering effort, especially at low speed or while maneuvering the apparatus.
Who's affected?
Covers both Spartan Metrostar and Spartan Gladiator fire trucks across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, all tied to the power steering system.
| 2019 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Custom Fire Spartan Gladiator | power steering system |
| 2020 Custom Fire Spartan Gladiator | power steering system |
| 2020 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar | power steering system |
| 2021 Custom Fire Spartan Gladiator | power steering system |
| 2021 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar | power steering system |
| Units affected | 8 |
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 loss of power steering assist makes the vehicle harder to steer and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before assist is lost, so treat sudden heavy steering as a reason to slow down and arrange service. Repair will be free at any franchised Custom Fire dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar or Spartan Gladiator is included in this recall.
- Wait for Custom Fire or the service provider to confirm the free repair is open before scheduling service.
- Call Custom Fire customer service at 1-715-294-2555 with questions and reference recall number 21V618 when you call.
- Ask about the power-steering-pump replacement that prevents pressure buildup from breaking the shaft seal and causing loss of power steering assist.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra room for steering effort if power assist is lost.
What happens at the repair
Custom Fire has not provided a recall notification schedule yet, so the final dealer repair is not open until the manufacturer gives timing. Once the repair is available, a Custom Fire technician will remove the power steering pump and install a replacement pump. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Call the dealer with your VIN and ask when the pump replacement can be scheduled.
Timeline
| July 12, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| August 6, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V618?
Recall 21V618 covers 8 2019-2021 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar and Spartan Gladiator emergency vehicles. Pressure can build in the power steering pump and break the shaft seal, causing a loss of power steering assist. Spartan will replace the pump for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Custom Fire Spartan Metrostar or Spartan Gladiator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your emergency vehicle is included in recall 21V618. If it is, contact Custom Fire customer service at 1-715-294-2555 and ask about the power steering pump replacement. Reference recall 21V618 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy states that Spartan will remove and replace the power steering pump free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of power steering assist. If the pump shaft seal breaks, steering effort increases and crash risk increases, especially during low-speed maneuvering or emergency response use.
When will owners be notified?
Custom Fire had not provided a recall notification schedule in the recall information. Owners do not need to wait for a letter before checking the VIN and contacting Custom Fire customer service about recall 21V618.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V618000 |
|---|---|
| Custom Fire customer service | 1-715-294-2555 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V618 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V618000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →