The defect
2003 LIBERTY SPIRIT (FREEDOM) SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2002 AND DECEMBER 2002. THE WASHER THAT IS USED BETWEEN THE SEAT LEG MOUNTING FOOT AND MOUNTING BOLT WAS IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH OR OF THE PROPER GRADE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT PILLAR PADDING WHICH COULD RESULT IN HEAD INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The risk
THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
The remedy
LIBERTY BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS REPAIR THE SEATS WITH 3 ADDITIONAL WASHERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 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 LIBERTY BUS AT 419-227-6554.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by OVSC
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Liberty Spirit | 2003 |
Components: SEATS | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Spirit | 2003 | 1 | 4 |
Other seats recalls in 2004
16 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the seats; LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED filed 4 campaigns in all.
| 04V575000 6 Dec 2004 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 04V548000 16 Nov 2004 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 04V498000 28 Oct 2004 | IC CORPORATION |
| 04V492000 28 Sept 2004 | IC CORPORATION |
| 04V404000 12 Aug 2004 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V379000 9 Aug 2004 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 04V342000 14 Jul 2004 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V330000 8 Jul 2004 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004