MID BUS GUIDE 2002: STRUCTURE:BODY

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 03V403000

Production Dates: 2002-05-01 - 2003-09-30

Manufacturers Involved: MID BUS CORPORATION

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 1188

Report Initiator: OVSC OVSC Report

Regulation Part Number: 571

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: 221

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."

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.

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.

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.