Mid bus/fmvss 221/ineffective bonding in the seams
Defect Summary
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."
Safety 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.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Mid Bus Corporation or involving Structure.
FAQ: Recall 03V403000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 03V403000?
NHTSA recall 03V403000 was issued by Mid Bus Corporation on October 16, 2003. It addresses: Mid bus/fmvss 221/ineffective bonding in the seams. The recall affects approximately 1,188 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Mid Bus Corporation dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 03V403000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.