Recall 23V156 covers 166 2022-2024 Spartan Fire FC-94, Redundant Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar firetrucks for TCM software. Repair is free at franchised Spartan Fire dealers.
Spartan Fire is recalling 166 2022-2024 FC-94, Gladiator, Metrostar, and Redundant Panther firetrucks because the transmission control module can fail to enter the 4th gear lockup needed to start the water pump after reversing. A firetruck without water-pumping capability raises injury risk during a fire, and Spartan Fire dealers will complete the repair 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 transmission control module (TCM) on these 2022-2024 Spartan Fire FC-94, Redundant Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar firetrucks is the computer that tells the automatic transmission when and how to shift. In pumper applications, the transmission also has to reach 4th gear lockup after reversing so the water pump sequence can start.
On affected firetrucks, the Allison GEN 6 TCM has C224 software with a driveline sensor refresh rate that is too sensitive. That software issue can keep the transmission from engaging 4th gear lockup after the truck is reversed. When lockup does not happen, the system does not initiate the water pump.
There is no warning sign before failure. A crew can reverse the firetruck, try to start pumping water, and find that the pump will not initiate because the transmission never reached the required lockup state.
Who's affected?
Covers 4 fire apparatus models across the 2022, 2023, and 2024 model years, all using the same automatic transmission control module.
| 2024 Spartan Fire FC-94 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2022 Kme Redundant Panther | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Spartan Fire Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2024 Spartan Fire Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Spartan Fire Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Kme Redundant Panther | automatic transmission |
| 2024 Kme Redundant Panther | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Spartan Fire FC-94 | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Spartan Fire FC-94 | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Spartan Fire Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| 2024 Spartan Fire Metrostar | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 166 |
| 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 truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the TCM software failure prevents the firetruck from pumping water, crews lose the water supply they need during a fire, increasing the risk of injury. The failure has no warning sign, so schedule the software update soon and treat any pump problem as a reason to keep the truck out of fire response. Repair is free at any franchised Spartan Fire dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022-2024 Spartan Fire FC-94, Redundant Panther, Gladiator, or Metrostar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Spartan Fire dealer to schedule the free TCM software update that addresses the 4th gear lockup condition needed to initiate the water pump.
- Bring the recall notice if Spartan Fire mailed one, and reference recall number 23V156 when you call.
- Avoid fire-service use that depends on water-pump operation until the TCM software update is complete.
- Call Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400 with questions about the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Spartan Fire technician updates the transmission control module software so the firetruck can reach the lockup logic needed to start the water pump after reversing. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered by Spartan Fire. Ask the service desk to confirm the software update is complete before the truck returns to emergency service.
Timeline
| March 23, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 10, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| April 14, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 17, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 27, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V156?
Recall 23V156 covers 166 2022-2024 Spartan Fire FC-94, Redundant Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar firetrucks. After the vehicle is reversed, the transmission control module can fail to reach the 4th gear lockup needed to start the water pump. Spartan Fire dealers update the TCM software for free.
What should I do if my 2022-2024 Spartan Fire FC-94, Redundant Panther, Gladiator, or Metrostar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific firetruck is included in recall 23V156. If it is, contact a franchised Spartan Fire dealer to schedule the TCM software update. Reference recall number 23V156 or Spartan Fire recall number 23007 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Spartan Fire will update the transmission control module software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at the dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 23V156?
The safety risk is loss of water-pump operation during a fire response. If the transmission control module does not reach the 4th gear lockup after reversing, the firetruck cannot initiate the water pump, increasing the risk of injury during a fire.
When were owners notified about recall 23V156?
Spartan Fire mailed owner notification letters on April 27, 2023. If your department owns one of these firetrucks and did not receive a letter, check your VIN and call Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400 with recall number 23007.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V156000 |
|---|---|
| Spartan Fire customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V156 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V156000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →