RoadVitals

2003 Liberty Spirit

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Jan 8, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jan 23, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2003 Liberty Spirit, most frequently naming the body & structure and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Fuel system150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
04V049000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Jan 23, 2004
11 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 217/01/LIBView on NHTSA.gov
04V050000

SEATS; STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Jan 23, 2004
11 units potentially affected
The defect: 2003 LIBERTY SPIRIT (FREEDOM) SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2002 AND DECEMBER 2002. THE WASHER THAT IS USED BETWEEN THE SEAT LEG MOUNTING FOOT AND MOUNTING BOLT WAS IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH OR OF THE PROPER GRADE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT PILLAR PADDING WHICH COULD RESULT IN HEAD INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The risk: THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."
The remedy: LIBERTY BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS REPAIR THE SEATS WITH 3 ADDITIONAL WASHERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 2, 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 LIBERTY BUS AT 419-227-6554.
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATEDManufacturer number 222/01/LIBView on NHTSA.gov
04V058000

WHEELS:RIM

Jan 16, 2004
11 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE CERTIFICATE LABEL FOR THE RIM SIZE IS INCORRECT.
The risk: THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
The remedy: LIBERTY WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND MAIL CORRECT LABELS AND REPLACE THE RIMS FREE OF CHARGE, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 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 LIBERTY BUS AT 419-227-6554.
LIBERTY BUS INCORPORATEDManufacturer number LBRE001View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureFuel system
Filed Jan 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 JEEP LIBERTY SPIRIT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE , STRUCTURE ) IN APRIL 2013. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
10558995
Incident
Apr 19, 2013