The defect
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS, XC RV, AND SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1 AND JULY 18, 2003, INCORRECT AXLE STEERING STOP BOLTS WERE INSTALLED ON AAC FRONT AXLES. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO TURN THE FRONT WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION UNTIL THE TIRES CONTACT OR DAMAGE OTHER STEERING COMPONENTS.
The risk
THE DRIVER CAN POSSIBLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF THE TIRES CONTACT THE STEERING COMPONENTS WHILE THE BUS IS IN MOTION.
The remedy
FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2003. 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 FREIGHTLINER AT 503-745-5219.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis | 2003 |
| Freightliner MB Shuttle Bus Chassis | 2003 |
| Freightliner XC Motorhome Chassis | 2003 |
Components: STEERING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis | 2003 | 1 | 2 |
| Freightliner MB Shuttle Bus Chassis | 2003 | 0 | 1 |
| Freightliner XC Motorhome Chassis | 2003 | 0 | 2 |
Other steering recalls in 2003
30 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the steering; FREIGHTLINER LLC filed 99 campaigns in all.
| 03V492000 26 Dec 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V522000 11 Dec 2003 | MACK TRUCKS, INC |
| 03V527000 11 Dec 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V513000 10 Dec 2003 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 03V517000 10 Dec 2003 | SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. |
| 03V491000 1 Dec 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V453000 14 Nov 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V457000 6 Nov 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003