Recall 03V403000

What's wrong

MY 2002 AND 2003 GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2002, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2003. VARIOUS SEAMS IN THE SCHOOL BUS BODIES WERE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. VERTICAL SEAMS IN THE INTERIOR WERE NOT BONDED AS REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."

The risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAMS OF THE BUS MAY SEPARATE AT SMALLER LOADS THEN EXPECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

The fix

MID BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ADD ADDITIONAL FASTENERS TO THE ROOF SEAMS, INTERIOR SEAMS, AND THE MOISTURE BARRIER SKIN BELOW THE FLOOR TO ENSURE THAT THE SEAMS ARE AS INTENDED AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DO NOT PREMATURELY SEPARATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 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 MID BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 877-358-6055.

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Vehicles covered by this recall

Whether a particular car is affected and still unrepaired depends on its VIN — a model year being listed does not mean every car of that year is included. Check any VIN free on CarLogs, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is this car's recall fixed?

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, for the life of the vehicle. A CarLogs report shows the recall status for a specific VIN as reported by the manufacturer — whether it's open or repaired, and whether the fix is available yet.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database. Look up another campaign →