2001–2003 Amtran RE Recall: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR…
NHTSA campaign 02V200000 · Structure · filed Aug 7, 2002 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." THE ENTRANCE DOOR STEPWELL VERTICAL JOINTS WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE NUMBER OF FASTENERS.
The risk
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS JOINT DURING A CRASH COULD BE REDUCED ALLOWING SEPARATION OF THE JOINTS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING OR PROTRUSION OF METAL EDGES IN THE STEPWELL AREA, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONAL FASTENERS WILL BE ADDED TO THE VERTICAL JOINTS OF THE STEPWELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AUGUST 22, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT IC AT 1-800-843-5615.
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 Amtran RE recalls
- 1998–2002 Amtran CE and 3 other models — CERTAIN 1998, 2000-2005 MY CE, FE, AND RE SCHOOL BUSES…
- 2001–2003 Amtran CE and 4 other models — CERTAIN MY 2001-2005 AMTRAN/IC CORPORATION CE, FE, AND RE…
- 2001–2004 Amtran RE and 1 other model — ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO OPERATE…
- 2003 Amtran CE and 5 other models — ON CERTAIN "SPECIAL NEEDS" SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH…
- 2004 Amtran FE and 1 other model — CERTAIN COMMERCIAL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH T-SLIDE OVAL WINDOWS…
Other campaigns involving Amtran vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 02V200000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.