The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." THESE BUSES HAVE INSUFFICIENT METAL HEMMING IN THE PANEL JOINTS.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE PANELS OF THE BUS MAY NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
The remedy
ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR EXTERIOR PANEL JOINTS BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS, AN ADDITIONAL 4 STEEL RIVETS WILL BE ADDED AT EACH 8" SECTION BETWEEN THE RUB RAILS TO THE JOINT FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE BUS. THE INTERIOR CEILING PANEL JOINT WILL GO FROM THE LEFT SIDE TO THE RIGHT SIDE INSIDE THE BUS. ON THE INTERIOR CELING PANELS CENTER JOINT FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR INSIDE OF THE BUS, 4 NEW STEEL RIVETS WILL BE ADDED EVERY 8" SECTION FROM FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE BUS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT US BUS AT 1-845-357-2510.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by OVSC
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| US Bus Sturdibus | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 |
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Bus Sturdibus | 1998 | 0 | 2 |
| US Bus Sturdibus | 1999 | 0 | 2 |
| US Bus Sturdibus | 2000 | 0 | 3 |
| US Bus Sturdibus | 2001 | 0 | 5 |
Other structure recalls in 2001
22 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the structure; U.S. BUS CORPORATION filed 21 campaigns in all.
| 01V381000 12 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V378000 12 Dec 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V342000 6 Nov 2001 | OSHKOSH TRUCK CORPORATION |
| 01V321001 9 Oct 2001 | NOVA BUS INCORPORATED |
| 01V282000 30 Aug 2001 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V273000 2 Aug 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V251000 1 Aug 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V242000 31 Jul 2001 | ELECTRIC TRANSIT, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001