2003 Mid Bus GUIDE: complaints, problems and recalls

WE RECEIVED 9 RECALL LETTERS ON JANUARY 14, 2004 THAT WOULD AFFECT 9 OF OUR 2003 MID-BUSES. IT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL JOINT STRENGTH SEAMS IN MID BUS PRODUCTION OF SCHOOL BUSES THAT MAY NOT MEET THE MINIMUM JOINT STRENGTH NEEDED IN A SCHOOL BUS. WHAT THAT MEANS THAT, IF THE BUS WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND ROLL OVER, THE SEAMS MAY NOT HOLD AND THE BUS WOULD COME APART. WE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED OUR DEALER TO HAVE THE BUSES REPAIRED AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL MARCH, 2004. I CALLED THEM AGAIN IN MARCH AND WAS T…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088287 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)

CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217 "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE REAR DOOR LATCH HAS INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION, REQUIRING MORE FORCE TO OPEN THE DOOR THAN ALLOWED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence: THE INCREASED OPENING LOAD ON THE LATCH MIGHT PRESENT A PROBLEM IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING ADVISED HOW TO LUBRICATE THE EMERGENCY DOOR LATCH OR, IF THEY PREFER, A DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MID BUS AT 1-877-358-6055.

Reported: 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)

GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES, MODELS YEARS 1997 THROUGH 2003 MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 1997, TO JULY 21, 2003. THE STOP ARM DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE RED WARNING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AS REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 131, "SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY DEVICES."

Consequence: IF THE STOP SIGNAL ARM IS NOT EXTENDED WHEN THE BUS IS LOADING OR UNLOADING PASSENGERS, IT MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF VEHICLES PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS AND STRIKING PEDESTRIANS IN THE VICINITY OF THE BUS.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2003.

Reported: 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH Q-STRAINT POCKET TIE DOWNS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." IF ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED, ONE OR ALL OF THE Q-STRAINT POCKETS CAN PULL AWAY FROM THE FLOOR.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, ONE OR ALL OF THE Q-STRAINT POCKETS CAN PULL AWAY FROM THE FLOOR. POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR TO THE VEHICLE SEAT OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL PROVIDE REPAIR KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS OWNERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2003. OWNERS REMEDY SHOULD CONTACT MID BUS AT 419-358-2500.

Reported: 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)

MY 1999 THROUGH 2003 GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 1999, TO AUGUST 31, 2003. THE SEATS WILL NOT ABSORB THE SPECIFIED ENERGY IN FORWARD OR REARWARD PUSHES AS REQUIRED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY PROTECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL FIX THE SEATS TO BRING THEM IN COMPLIANCE WILL FMVSS 222. THE REMEDY WILL BE PREFORMED AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 12, 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 MID BUS AT 419-358-2400.

Reported: 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)

MY 2002 AND 2003 GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2002, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2003. VARIOUS SEAMS IN THE SCHOOL BUS BODIES WERE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. VERTICAL SEAMS IN THE INTERIOR WERE NOT BONDED AS REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAMS OF THE BUS MAY SEPARATE AT SMALLER LOADS THEN EXPECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND ADD ADDITIONAL FASTENERS TO THE ROOF SEAMS, INTERIOR SEAMS, AND THE MOISTURE BARRIER SKIN BELOW THE FLOOR TO ENSURE THAT THE SEAMS ARE AS INTENDED AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DO NOT PREMATURELY SEPARATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 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 MID BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 877-358-6055.

Reported: 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)

CERTAIN 2000-2004 MY MID BUS SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR TIE-DOWN SECUREMENT ASSEMBLIES P/N 8625-13 FOR USE ON CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE LOAD PAWL NOT TO FULLY SEAT IN THE SPROCKET TEETH.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT AND/OR OTHER PASSENGERS.

Remedy: ONCE THE BUS OWNERS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, SURE-LOK WILL NOTIFY MID BUS' CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR BUSES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOK CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-787-3565.

Reported: 2005-05-04 (May 4, 2005)

CERTAIN MID BUS MY 2002-2005 GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2002 AND APRIL 30, 2005. THESE BUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH-STYLE SINGLE PASSENGER SEATS HAVING A LOWER CUSHION SURFACE OF 24 INCHES IN WIDTH. THESE SEATS SHOULD HAVE A SEATING SURFACE OF ONLY 22 INCHES FOR A SIGNAL DESIGNATED SEATING POSITION. THESE SEATS DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: THESE SEATS SHOULD HAVE A SEATING SURFACE OF ONLY 22 INCHES WIDE TO HAVE A SINGLE DESIGNATED SEATING POSITION. BECAUSE THE 24 INCH CUSHION IS WIDER THAN 22 INCHES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR TWO PASSENGERS TO BE SEATED IN THIS SEAT. A SECOND PASSENGER WOULD NOT HAVE AN AVAILABLE SEAT BELT FOR RESTRAINT AND MAY BE INJURED IN A CRASH.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE 24 INCH SEAT CUSHION WITH A 22 INCH SEAT CUSHION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MID BUS AT 1-877-3358-6055.

Reported: 2005-10-21 (October 21, 2005)

CERTAIN MID BUS 2002-2005 MODEL YEAR GUIDE DX, GUIDE SW, GUIDE XL, AND SC SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 7, 2002, AND APRIL 30, 2005, ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN THE FOLLOWING: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY ALL ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN OR NEAR ANY OF THE STATES LISTED ABOVE, MID BUS IS ENCOURAGING THE BUS OWNERS TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN THE WARMER STATES, MID BUS WILL REPLACE THE SWICH UPON OWNER REQUEST. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO REQUEST THE REMEDY, MID BUS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MID BUS AT 877-358-6055.

Reported: 2006-09-27 (September 27, 2006)

CERTAIN MY 2001 THROUGH 2006 MID BUS GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND MAY 16, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH COLLINS 3 PASSENGER SEATS, FREEDMAN ACTIVITY SEATS, OR UNISTRUT TRACK SEATING WITH 2 PASSENGER SEATS. THE SEATS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE CORRECT HARDWARE INSTALLED ON THEM WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: PASSENGERS COULD SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HARDWARE ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MID BUS AT 1-877-358-6055.

Reported: 2007-05-17 (May 17, 2007)

CERTAIN MID BUS GUIDE AND GUIDE XL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 3, 2003, AND MARCH 30, 2007. THE 39" AND 45" LEFT HAND BARRIERS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE ENERGY ABSORPTION REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND THE SEVERITY OF INJURIES THAT RESULT FROM THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL BUS OCCUPANTS AGAINST STRUCTURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE DURING CRASHES AND SUDDEN MANEUVERS.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MID BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-877-358-6055.