Hearth Record

Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection (Spartan)

Vehicle recall 96V-081. NHTSA received SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.’s report on May 17, 1996.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.

The short answer

NHTSA received SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.’s report on May 17, 1996. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOOSENING OF THE JOINT AND ULTIMATE SEPARATION RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING.

THE DRAGLINKS HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-TILT SEAL ON THE PITMAN END THAT CAN AFFECT THE TAPER FIT OF THE BALL STUD TAPER INTO THE PITMAN ARM.

THE RECOMMENDED TORQUE ON THE STUD NUT DOES NOT OVERCOME THE COMPRESSION OF THE ANTI-TILT SEAL.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL REPLACE WASHERS WITH 90 DEGREE FLANGES WITH WASHERS HAVING A 45 DEGREE FLANGE AND SANDWICH THE RUBBER BUSHING IN THE ANTI-TILT SEAL. THE FLANGES ALLOW THE BUSHING TO PROPERLY EXPAND. IF A BODY HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON THE CHASSIS, THE PITMAN ARM WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: STEERING; LINKAGES; LINK; DRAG. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TYPE A MOTORHOMES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GVWR) FROM 19,000 TO 36,000 LBS. AND TRANSIT BUS CHASSIS OR SPECIALITY TRUCKS WITH GVWR FROM 18,000 TO 36,000 LBS. EQUIPPED WITH TRW DRAGLINK ASSEMBLY. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 10, 1996. NOTE: 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 1-800-722-3025. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 604 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Spartan Alpineand 1996, before the model years listed here
  • Spartan Mountain Masterand 1996, before the model years listed here
  • Spartan Busand 1996, before the model years listed here
  • Spartan Highlanderand 1996, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by SPARTAN MOTORS, INC..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

Sign in

A free account keeps your watch list, shortlists, comparisons and saved searches on every device, and can email you when something you watch changes. Browsing never needs one.