1997–1998 Spartan SB2142 Recall: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT ENGINE CARPENTER SCHOOL BUSES WITH FRONT AIR…
NHTSA campaign 00V216000 · Suspension · filed Aug 7, 2000 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT ENGINE CARPENTER SCHOOL BUSES WITH FRONT AIR SUSPENSIONS. DUE TO FRAME FLEXING, BOTH THE TRACK BAR MOUNT, MOUNTING BOLTS, AND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LOOSEN WHICH COULD ALLOW SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OR TORQUE LOSS OF THESE BOLTS. THE SPRING BEAM COULD ALSO FRACTURE.
The risk
THIS COULD AFFECT THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THREE STRUCTURAL, WELDED CROSS-MEMBERS TO TIE TOGETHER THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME RAILS, ALL LOCATED FORWARD OF THE FRONT AXLE. STIFFENING GUSSETS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO EXISTING FRAME CROSS-MEMBERS AND THE TO STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BRACKET.
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
Other campaigns involving Spartan vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 00V216000 (manufacturer number SPEC 00003). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.