Tie Rod Clamp Failure

Affected vehicles (5)

Component / system

Defect

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94 and KME Panther fire trucks. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.

Risk / consequence

Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace both tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Marion's customer service at 1-715-754-5261. Marion's number for this recall is 22V-778.

Chronology of events

1. Sep 15, 2022

   On September 15, 2022 - Spartan Fire received communication from Meritor of a steering arm clamp issue. An investigation was started and a potential population identified. October 3 - 14, 2022 - Spartan Fire received communication from Meritor about recall 22E-085. A final population is still being identified with Meritor. Stop ship issued within Spartan Fire. Escalated the issue to REV Group Management.

2. Oct 14, 2022

   October 14, 2022 – REV’s senior leadership approved a voluntary recall for this issue.

3. Oct 19, 2022

   October 19, 2022 - Meritor provided Spartan a final serial number list affected. Spartan determined final population.

4. Nov 22, 2022

   November 22, 2022 - Marion Body Works was notified of the affected population.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

NOV 28, 2022 - NOV 28, 2022

Owner notification

NOV 28, 2022 - NOV 30, 2022