Model year record

2003 LIBERTY Spirit

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V049000

Structure: body: door

Component
Structure: body: door
Manufacturer
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
11
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-23
Owners notified
2004-04-02

Defect description

CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION RELEASE." THE REAR EXIT DOOR HANDLE IS NOT RECESSED WHICH CAN CATCH ON AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING OR A BACK PACK, INADVERTENTLY OPENING THE DOOR. ALSO, THE REQUIRED POSITIVE DOOR OPENING DEVICE FOR REAR EXIT DOOR DOES NOT HOLD THE DOOR AT 90 DEGREES WITH THE BODY.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AND THE VEHICLE ENDS UP ON ITS SIDE, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY POSSIBLY HINDERING RAPID EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

LIBERTY BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND A METAL BEZEL WILL BE INSTALLED AROUND THE HANDLE TO RECESS IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LIBERTY BUS AT 419-227-6554.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V050000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
11
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-23
Owners notified
2004-04-02

Defect description

2003 LIBERTY SPIRIT (FREEDOM) SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2002 AND DECEMBER 2002. THE WASHER THAT IS USED BETWEEN THE SEAT LEG MOUNTING FOOT AND MOUNTING BOLT WAS IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH OR OF THE PROPER GRADE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT PILLAR PADDING WHICH COULD RESULT IN HEAD INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Safety risk

THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Manufacturer remedy

LIBERTY BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS REPAIR THE SEATS WITH 3 ADDITIONAL WASHERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 2004. 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 LIBERTY BUS AT 419-227-6554.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V058000

Wheels: rim

Component
Wheels: rim
Manufacturer
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
11
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-16

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE CERTIFICATE LABEL FOR THE RIM SIZE IS INCORRECT.

Safety risk

THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Manufacturer remedy

LIBERTY WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND MAIL CORRECT LABELS AND REPLACE THE RIMS FREE OF CHARGE, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2004. 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 LIBERTY BUS AT 419-227-6554.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V461000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
Manufacturer
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED
Vehicles affected
11
Reported to NHTSA
2003-11-11
Owners notified
2004-04-02

Defect description

2003 LIBERTY SPIRIT (FREEDOM) SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2002 AND OCTOBER 2003. THE DECAL FOR THE CROSS-VIEW MIRROR USAGE HAS FALLEN OFF WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Manufacturer remedy

LIBERTY WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 2004. 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 LIBERTY AT 419-227-6554.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel/propulsion system1
Structure: body1

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.