Recall 04V049000 · manufacturer campaign 217/01/LIB

What's wrong

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.

The 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.

The fix

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.

LIBERTY BUS RECALL NO. 217/01/LIB.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 →