Vehicles › Spartan › Spartan K3
2005 Spartan K3
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Spartan K3, covering engine and engine cooling and steering, and 1 consumer complaint received since 2007.
The component named most often is electrical system: 227.3 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 122.7 per 1,000 across all 2005 model-year vehicles and against 200 per 1,000 for the Spartan K3 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 0.2 complaints per model year across the 22 Spartan K3 model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2007 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 10 Sep 2007.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: Spartan Motors USA (Spartan) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 K2, K3 and MM motorhomes manufactured March 17, 2003, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the engine cooling fan may separate from the fan drive while the fan is spinning.
Consequence: If the engine area is open and the cooling fan is operating and detaches, someone nearby may be injured.
Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fan and fan drive system, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on October 29, 2015. The recall began on October 29, 2015. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-800-582-3454. Spartan's number for this recall is 15014.
Filed by Spartan Motors USA (manufacturer campaign 15014).
Defect, as filed: Spartan is recalling 14 model year 2005 and 2006 motorhomes manufactured between november 12, 2004 and march 1, 2006, equipped with caterpillar c15 engine. The variable valve actuation oil line may rub against the p-clips retaining the oil line, causing an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may result in a fire hazard.
Remedy: Spartan is working with caterpillar to remedy these vehicles. Please see recall 09e-020. Caterpillar will inspect and repair the necessary components free of charge. The safety recall began on december 7, 2009. Owners may contact caterpillar toll-free at 1-800-447-4986 or spartan at 1-800-543-4277 option 1.
Filed by SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. (manufacturer campaign 09025).
Defect, as filed: On certain motor home chassis equipped with a caterpillar c15 engine in a fleetwood heritage motor home, the variable valve actuation (vva) oil line may wear causing an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak could cause a fire that may result in personal injury or death.
Remedy: Caterpillar is conducting the remedy for this campaign (please see 05e078). The vehicles will be inspected, the vva oil line replaced, and a retention clip will be installed to prevent any damage from occurring. The recall began onnovember 6, 2006. Owners may contact caterpillar at 1-877-777-3126, spartan at 517-543-6400 or fleetwood at 1-800-322-8216.
Filed by SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. (manufacturer campaign SPEC 06025).
Defect, as filed: On certain motor homes, the i-shaft is the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the steering gear. At the non-welded side of the i-shaft there is a universal joint. It is possible that the fork shaft connection could be lost.
Consequence: Drivers will lose steerability of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the i-shaft. The recall began on august 15, 2005. Owners may contact spartan at 517-543-6400.
Filed by SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. (manufacturer campaign SPEC 05022).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2005 Spartan K3 (black) against all 2005 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2005 | K3 line | All 2005 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 227.3 | 200 | 122.7 |
| Power Train | 181.8 | 160 | 117.3 |
| Visibility | 136.4 | 120 | 22.9 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 90.9 | 80 | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 90.9 | 80 | 21.3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 45.5 | 40 | 0.1 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 227.3 | 200 | 122.7 |
| Power Train | 4 | 181.8 | 160 | 117.3 |
| Visibility | 3 | 136.4 | 120 | 22.9 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 90.9 | 80 | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 | 90.9 | 80 | 21.3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 45.5 | 40 | 0.1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 45.5 | 40 | 40 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 45.5 | 40 | 1.6 |
| Seats | 1 | 45.5 | 40 | 13.7 |
| Structure | 1 | 45.5 | 40 | 65.3 |
| Equipment | 1 | 45.5 | 40 | 10.3 |
1 unique complaints, 22 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other Spartan K3 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | 1,387 |
| 2005 | 4 | 1 | 1,313 |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | 3,974 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 6,542 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | 7,255 |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | 5,830 |
| 2010 | 7 | 1 | 8,152 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 | 10,976 |
| 2012 | 8 | 2 | 7,063 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 | 7,959 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 7,861 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | 7,313 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | 3,399 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 | 6,220 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 8,515 |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 | 5,704 |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 6,292 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | 6,329 |
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | 8,217 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | 3,376 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 3,133 |
| 2025 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 797 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Spartan K3 model years · Spartan: 47 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2005 Spartan K3 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 15V549000, was reported to NHTSA on 1 Sep 2015 and concerns engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. Across all model years the Spartan K3 line has 41 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2005 Spartan K3?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2005 Spartan K3 complain about most?
Electrical System: 5 of 22 component mentions (227.3 per 1,000). Next is power train with 4. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.