NHTSA vehicle safety data
2003 Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis Recalls & Complaints
The 2003 Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Freightliner dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2003 Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis, describing incidents dated September 13, 2012.
Most-cited components
- Structure 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10476796 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A STATE INSPECTION THE INSPECTOR FOUND CRACKS ON THE CROSS MEMBER IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
CUMMINS/FUEL LIFT PUMP/STALLING CONDITION
NHTSA #05V205000 · Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA notice
Reported April 27, 2005 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 16,000 vehicles
Freightliner campaign FL-447 · Vehicles built December 1, 1997 – January 31, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL TO TRANSFER FUEL APPROPRIATELY CREATING AN ENGINE STALL CONDITION.
Safety consequence
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT AND REPLACE THE FUEL LIFT PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
FREIGHTLINER/INCORRECT AXLE STEERING STOP BOLTS
NHTSA #03V488000 · Steering · NHTSA notice
Reported December 4, 2003 · FREIGHTLINER LLC
Potentially affected: 130 vehicles
Freightliner campaign FL419A · Owners notified January 27, 2004
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS, XC RV, AND SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1 AND JULY 18, 2003, INCORRECT AXLE STEERING STOP BOLTS WERE INSTALLED ON AAC FRONT AXLES. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO TURN THE FRONT WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION UNTIL THE TIRES CONTACT OR DAMAGE OTHER STEERING COMPONENTS.
Safety consequence
THE DRIVER CAN POSSIBLY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF THE TIRES CONTACT THE STEERING COMPONENTS WHILE THE BUS IS IN MOTION.
Manufacturer remedy
FREIGHTLINER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2003. 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 FREIGHTLINER AT 503-745-5219.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Check your 2003 Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Freightliner FS-65 School Bus Chassis at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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