2003 Liberty Spirit Recall: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
NHTSA campaign 04V049000 · Structure · filed Jan 23, 2004 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
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.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
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).
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Liberty Spirit recalls
Other campaigns involving Liberty vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 04V049000 (manufacturer number 217/01/LIB). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.