The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·23V156000·Announced 2023-03-23

Spartan Fire Recalls 2022-2024 Firetrucks Due to Transmission Software Defect

Spartan Fire is recalling 2022-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, FC-94, and KME Panther firetrucks because the transmission may fail to engage the water pump after reversing.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (firetruck) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the High severity criteria for products with potential for injury but no confirmed incidents.

Plain-English summary

Spartan Fire, LLC is recalling certain 2022-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, FC-94, and KME Panther firetrucks. The recall involves a defect in the transmission control module (TCM) software. After the vehicle is reversed, the TCM may fail to achieve the 4th gear lockup required to initiate the water pump.

A firetruck that is unable to pump water increases the risk of injury during a fire. This defect affects the vehicle's ability to perform its primary emergency function in specific operational scenarios.

Dealers will update the TCM software free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 27, 2023. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
KME, SPARTAN FIRE redundant PANTHER, FC-94, GLADIATOR, METROSTAR
Brand
KME
Manufacturer
Spartan Fire, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Fire Apparatus
Hazard
Affected units
166

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (4)

  • redundant PANTHER
  • FC-94
  • GLADIATOR
  • METROSTAR

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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Same hazard · injury risk

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