2001–2003 Mid Bus Guide Recall: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR…
NHTSA campaign 03V242000 · Structure · filed Jul 2, 2003 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
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.
The risk
THE INCREASED OPENING LOAD ON THE LATCH MIGHT PRESENT A PROBLEM IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
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 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.
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO 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 Mid Bus Guide recalls
- 2003–2007 Mid Bus Guide and 1 other model — CERTAIN MID BUS GUIDE AND GUIDE XL SCHOOL BUSES…
- 2006 Mid Bus Guide and 1 other model — CERTAIN MY 2006 MID BUS GUIDE AND GUIDE XL SCHOOL BUSES…
- 2001–2006 Mid Bus Guide — CERTAIN MY 2001 THROUGH 2006 MID BUS GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES…
- 2002–2005 Mid Bus Guide and 3 other models — CERTAIN MID BUS 2002-2005 MODEL YEAR GUIDE DX, GUIDE SW…
- 2002–2005 Mid Bus Guide — CERTAIN MID BUS MY 2002-2005 GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES…
Other campaigns involving Mid Bus vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 03V242000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.