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Vehicle recall 04V049000 · January 23, 2004

2003 Liberty Spirit

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…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Notes
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).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign
04V049000
Reported to NHTSA
January 23, 2004
Filed by
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATED
Manufacturer campaign
217/01/LIB
Owner notification
April 2, 2004
Vehicles potentially affected
11
Initiated by
NHTSA’s Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
Components
Structure › Body › Door
Recall 04V049000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Has your Liberty been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Liberty dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.