Spartan SRT-XD and KGZ-XD steering arm damper crash hazard (CPSC Nov 20, 2025)

## Affected machines About **650 US units** of certain **Model Year 2025 Spartan SRT-XD and KGZ-XD** zero radius turn ("ZRT") riding lawn mowers within a limited serial range. The mower is **gray, black, and orange**, and has "Spartan" printed on the front. The model number and serial number are on a **metal serial plate affixed to the frame of the mower immediately in front of, and at the feet of, the seated operator**. ### Affected model numbers The recall covers six specific model number variants: | Model number | Series | |---|---| | RSKXD161994VO | KGZ-XD | | RSKXD172994VO | KGZ-XD | | RSSXD161994VO | SRT-XD | | RSSXD161999KE | SRT-XD | | RSSXD172994VO | SRT-XD | | RSSXD172999KE | SRT-XD | Only mowers within a **limited serial range** are in scope. Owners should match by model and serial number against the published list at https://joinspartannation.com/recall-information/spartan-srt-xd-and-kgz-xd-damper-recall — not every SRT-XD or KGZ-XD ZRT is affected. The SRT-XDe variant, RZ family, RT family, Defender, Shield, and Shield-HD are **not** in scope for this recall. ### Production / sales window Sold at **authorized Spartan dealers nationwide** from **February 2025 through October 2025** for **$16,400 to $19,700**. Manufactured by Intimidator LLC d/b/a Spartan Mowers and UTVs in Batesville, Arkansas. ## Issue The riding mower's **steering arm dampers can be installed incorrectly**, which can result in **unexpected bouncing motion and loss of operator control**, posing a crash hazard. The steering arm dampers (also called lever dampers) are hydraulic shock absorbers connected to each lap-bar steering arm. Their job is to dampen abrupt operator inputs — when the operator yanks a steering arm hard, the damper smooths the response and prevents the mower from jerking. On a ZRT mower with two independent hydrostatic transmissions and a high power-to-weight ratio, undamped lever inputs can produce abrupt direction changes that the operator does not expect. When the dampers are **installed incorrectly** at the factory, their compression characteristics are wrong — the lever response becomes erratic, and on rough terrain or under heavy load the mower can begin to **bounce unexpectedly**, throwing off the operator's steering inputs and potentially throwing the operator off the seat. This is an assembly defect, not a parts defect — the dampers themselves are correct, but they were installed wrong on a small batch. Reported field incidents at recall time: - 15 reports of unexpected bouncing while in use - 1 report of a minor injury (scrapes and bruises) - 0 serious injuries The remedy involves **dealer inspection and repair** (correct re-installation) of the steering arm dampers. ## What to do 1. Find the **metal serial plate at the feet of the operator** and note the model and serial number. 2. Visit https://joinspartannation.com/recall-information/ and verify whether your serial number is in scope. 3. If your mower is in scope, **stop using it immediately**. 4. Contact an **authorized Spartan dealer** to schedule a free inspection and repair of the steering arm dampers at the dealer's location. 5. Find a Spartan dealer at https://joinspartannation.com/dealer-locator 6. Or call Spartan Mowers toll-free at **855-307-0933** Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT, or email **service@spartanmowers.com**. ## Hazard Severity is rated **warning**. The defect rate is non-trivial (15 of 650 units = 2.3% bouncing rate), and one minor injury has occurred. ZRT mowers are operated at speeds up to 8-12 mph on uneven terrain and the operator is unrestrained — loss of control or operator ejection are realistic failure modes. ## Recall scope This recall was conducted voluntarily under CPSC's **Fast Track Recall** process, reflecting the manufacturer's quick acknowledgment and remediation of the assembly defect. ## Source - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Spartan Mowers and UTVs Recalls Riding Mowers Due to Crash Hazard," November 20, 2025. - Manufacturer: Intimidator LLC d/b/a Spartan Mowers and UTVs, Batesville, Arkansas. - Spartan recall page: https://joinspartannation.com/recall-information/spartan-srt-xd-and-kgz-xd-damper-recall