Recall 22V871 affects 6 2021-2023 Spartan Fire fire trucks for tie rod clamp failure. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan Fire dealer.
Spartan Fire is recalling 6 2021-2023 Gladiator, Metrostar, FC-94, Redundant Panther, and Panther fire trucks because improperly heat-treated tie rod clamps can fail and let the tie rods separate. Tie rod separation can cause sudden loss of steering and raise crash risk; Spartan Fire dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The tie rod clamp on these 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, Metrostar, FC-94, Redundant Panther, and Panther fire trucks is part of the steering linkage. It helps hold the tie rod in position on the axle, so steering input from the wheel reaches the front tires in a controlled way. The clamp has to stay tight and intact for the truck to track straight.
On included trucks, the clamps were not heat-treated correctly. The supplier traced the issue to excessive carbon from a damaged control board on a furnace. That defect leaves the clamp weaker than Meritor's specification. Under steering loads, the clamp can crack and fail, allowing the tie rod to separate.
The first thing an operator can notice is that the truck is out of alignment. If both clamps on the tie rod crack, the tube can rotate and the truck can have a partial loss of steering capability.
Who's affected?
Covers five models across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years. Each scope points to the same tie rod clamp in the steering linkage.
| 2022 Spartan Fire Gladiator | tie rod (steering linkage) |
|---|---|
| 2021 Spartan Fire Gladiator | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2023 Spartan Fire Metrostar | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2023 Kme Redundant Panther | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2021 Spartan Fire FC-94 | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2022 Kme Redundant Panther | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2023 Spartan Fire FC-94 | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2021 Kme Panther | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2021 Spartan Fire Metrostar | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2022 Spartan Fire FC-94 | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2022 Spartan Fire Metrostar | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| Units affected | 6 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
Tie rod separation can cause a sudden loss of steering and increase crash risk. An early sign is a vehicle that feels out of alignment; if steering feels abnormal, slow down, avoid unnecessary trips, and schedule the repair soon. The dealer will replace both tie rod clamps. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan Fire dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, Metrostar, Redundant Panther, FC-94, or Panther is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan Fire dealer to schedule the free tie-rod-clamp replacement that prevents the tie rods from separating.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 22V871 when you call.
- Avoid nonessential trips until the repair is complete, and leave extra room for steering and braking decisions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan Fire technician replaces both tie rod clamps covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free now that the remedy is available. If you already paid out of pocket for a tie rod clamp repair tied to this condition, the general reimbursement plan on file covers documented expenses. Keep your repair paperwork and contact Marion customer service at 1-715-754-5261 to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 23, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 28, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| November 28, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 28, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 13, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V871?
Recall 22V871 covers 6 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, Metrostar, Redundant Panther, FC-94, and Panther fire trucks. The tie rod clamps were improperly heat-treated, which can let the tie rods separate. Dealers will replace both tie rod clamps for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, Metrostar, Redundant Panther, FC-94, or Panther is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 22V871. If it is, contact the dealer to schedule replacement of both tie rod clamps. Reference recall 22V871 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 22V871, dealers will replace both tie rod clamps free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
Tie rod separation can cause a sudden loss of steering and increase crash risk. This recall involves the steering linkage, so keep the truck out of service if steering feels unsafe and contact the dealer for the free tie rod clamp replacement.
When were owners notified about recall 22V871?
Owner notification letters were mailed on December 13, 2022. If you own one of these 2021-2023 Spartan Fire models and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 22V871 when contacting the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V871000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan Fire customer service | 1-715-754-5261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V871 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V871000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →