Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 3800 | 1 | 2 |
| 2003 | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 3800 | 4 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 | 4 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Structure1
- Steering1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Service brakes, air1
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Recalls
7 campaigns cover the 3800.
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCK MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28, 1999, THROUGH APRIL 5, 2004, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY MISINTERPRET A CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES THE STUDS USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE ENGINE BLOCK CAN FAIL, RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE POWER ASSIST TO BOTH THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM. SHOULD STUD FAILURE CAUSE THE PUMP TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM ITS DRIVE GEARS, A REDUCTION OF THE FLUID FLOW RATE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD OCCUR AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AS WELL AS INCREASED STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS.
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH BOSCH ZERO OFFSET PIN SLIDE (ZOPS) HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES, THE ZOPS HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE OR ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES.
THESE BUSES HAVE A TURN SIGNAL LEVER THAT WILL NOT OPERATE CONSISTENTLY IN THE LANE CHANGE MODE IF THE LEVER IS NOT MOVED TO THE POSITION WHERE RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT IS FELT.
THE WIRE END OF THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE PASSES THROUGH A SPLIT PLASTIC GROMMET IN THE ACCELERATOR ROD. THIS WIRE CAN WORK THROUGH THE SLOT IN THE GROMMET AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE GROMMET AND THE EDGE OF THE HOLE IN THE ACCELERATOR ROD.
THE THROTTLE VALVE INSIDE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER MAY DEFORM FROM BUILDUP OF HEAT AND PRESSURE AND CLOSE-OFF FLUID RETURN PORTS.
NHTSA recalls