The Oshkosh S Series spans 1995–2012 with 5 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2000, 2012, 2011 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1995, 1996, 1997. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Oshkosh S Series is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2012 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Oshkosh S Series by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Oshkosh S Series — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Oshkosh S Series VIN — every digit explained
Every Oshkosh S Series carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this S Series.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your S Series VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Oshkosh S Series have?
The Oshkosh S Series has 5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2012. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2000 Oshkosh S Series recalls 1
Structure:frame And Members
What's wrong. Vehicle description: front discharge concrete carriers with 6- or 8-wheel drive designed to operate off-road in difficult soils and terrain that are beyond the capability of conventional rear discharge concrete trucks. The frame rail flange impinged on the head of one or more lockbolts which attach the angle iron rear pedestal support bracket to the frame.
Risk. Bolt head impingment can cause the pedestal bolt retnetion system to lose the specified clamp load causing the concrete drum to separate from the truck chassis, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix. Owners have been advised to immediately check all bolts on the rear pedestals. If any one horizontal lockbolt is loose or missing, to immediately replace the loose lockbolt. Oshkosh is providing replacement kits with instructions and has authorized labor reimbursement. Owners were called beginning december 10, 2000, to advise them of this problem. An owner notification letter was sent to each customer on december 15, 2001, to customers who had not replied to the initial communication. Owners should contact oshkosh at 1-920-235-9151.
1999 Oshkosh S Series recalls 1
Structure:frame And Members
What's wrong. Vehicle description: front discharge concrete carriers with 6- or 8-wheel drive designed to operate off-road in difficult soils and terrain that are beyond the capability of conventional rear discharge concrete trucks. The frame rail flange impinged on the head of one or more lockbolts which attach the angle iron rear pedestal support bracket to the frame.
Risk. Bolt head impingment can cause the pedestal bolt retnetion system to lose the specified clamp load causing the concrete drum to separate from the truck chassis, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix. Owners have been advised to immediately check all bolts on the rear pedestals. If any one horizontal lockbolt is loose or missing, to immediately replace the loose lockbolt. Oshkosh is providing replacement kits with instructions and has authorized labor reimbursement. Owners were called beginning december 10, 2000, to advise them of this problem. An owner notification letter was sent to each customer on december 15, 2001, to customers who had not replied to the initial communication. Owners should contact oshkosh at 1-920-235-9151.
1998 Oshkosh S Series recalls 1
Structure:frame And Members
What's wrong. Vehicle description: front discharge concrete carriers with 6- or 8-wheel drive designed to operate off-road in difficult soils and terrain that are beyond the capability of conventional rear discharge concrete trucks. The frame rail flange impinged on the head of one or more lockbolts which attach the angle iron rear pedestal support bracket to the frame.
Risk. Bolt head impingment can cause the pedestal bolt retnetion system to lose the specified clamp load causing the concrete drum to separate from the truck chassis, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix. Owners have been advised to immediately check all bolts on the rear pedestals. If any one horizontal lockbolt is loose or missing, to immediately replace the loose lockbolt. Oshkosh is providing replacement kits with instructions and has authorized labor reimbursement. Owners were called beginning december 10, 2000, to advise them of this problem. An owner notification letter was sent to each customer on december 15, 2001, to customers who had not replied to the initial communication. Owners should contact oshkosh at 1-920-235-9151.
1997 Oshkosh S Series recalls 1
Structure:frame And Members
What's wrong. Vehicle description: front discharge concrete carriers with 6- or 8-wheel drive designed to operate off-road in difficult soils and terrain that are beyond the capability of conventional rear discharge concrete trucks. The frame rail flange impinged on the head of one or more lockbolts which attach the angle iron rear pedestal support bracket to the frame.
Risk. Bolt head impingment can cause the pedestal bolt retnetion system to lose the specified clamp load causing the concrete drum to separate from the truck chassis, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix. Owners have been advised to immediately check all bolts on the rear pedestals. If any one horizontal lockbolt is loose or missing, to immediately replace the loose lockbolt. Oshkosh is providing replacement kits with instructions and has authorized labor reimbursement. Owners were called beginning december 10, 2000, to advise them of this problem. An owner notification letter was sent to each customer on december 15, 2001, to customers who had not replied to the initial communication. Owners should contact oshkosh at 1-920-235-9151.
1995 Oshkosh S Series recalls 1
Service Brakes, Air:supply:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Air system blockage in the air dryer occurs degrading the moisture removing capabilities of the dryer when the vehicle is operated in a cold environment and moisture accumulates and freezes in the air dryer or in the line between the dryer and the air system reservoir. The air dryer can become overpressurized causing the air dryer cartridge to separate from the mounting base.
Risk. If the air dryer separates from the base, the cartridge can separate sufficiently enough to cause personal injury or property damage.
Fix. Dealers will equip air systems with a pressure relief valve to be located between the compressor and the air dryer. This pressure relief valve is intended to vent if excessive pressure develops in the air dryer.
Best and worst years for the Oshkosh S Series
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 18 tracked years, the worst years are 2000, 2012, 2011 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1995, 1996, 1997.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 S Series | 0 | — | Best |
| 1996 S Series | 0 | — | Best |
| 1997 S Series | 0 | — | Best |
| 1998 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 1999 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2000 S Series | 1 | Equipment | Avoid |
| 2001 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2002 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2003 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2004 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2005 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2006 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2007 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2008 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2009 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2010 S Series | 0 | — | Average |
| 2011 S Series | 0 | — | Avoid |
| 2012 S Series | 0 | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Oshkosh S Series problems?
The most-reported Oshkosh S Series problems are Equipment (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Equipment 1 Read
2000 s-series concrete mixer was in use killing a person. Consumer states that the vehicle needs a guard or enclosure, so no one else gets injured or killed from these vehicles. *kb the revolving drums, barrels, or containers were not guarded by enclosure which interlocked with the drive mechanism so that the barrels, drums, or containers could not resolve unless the enclosures were in place. *jb
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Oshkosh S Series specifications & dimensions
The 2012 Oshkosh S Series. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Oshkosh S Series cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the S Series holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Oshkosh S Series tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Oshkosh S Series get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Oshkosh S Series have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Oshkosh S Series cost to own?
A Oshkosh S Series holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 76% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 68% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 56% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this S Series loses about 44% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the S Series ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Oshkosh S Series safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the S Series yet.
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How many miles does a Oshkosh S Series last?
A well-maintained Oshkosh S Series typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Decode your Oshkosh S Series’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Oshkosh S Series model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Oshkosh S Series — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2011 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2010 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2009 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2008 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2007 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2006 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2005 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2004 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2003 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2002 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2001 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 2000 S Series | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1999 S Series | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1998 S Series | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1997 S Series | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1996 S Series | 0 | — | — |
| 1995 S Series | 1 recall | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the S Series?
By owner-complaint volume, 2000, 2012, 2011 drew the most reports. 1995, 1996, 1997 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the S Series have?
5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2012. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a S Series last?
A well-maintained S Series typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the S Series reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the S Series is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Oshkosh S Series warranty?
New Oshkosh models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Oshkosh dealer.
Where is the Oshkosh S Series made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your S Series's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Oshkosh may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the S Series have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.