Defect
THE ENTRANCE DOOR EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM MAY EXCEED THE 20 LB. FORCE ALLOWED BY FMVSS 217.
Consequence
BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARD.
Remedy
REPAIR RELEASE CABLE MECHANISM TO COMPLY WITH STANDARD.
1984 Flxible METRO problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1984 Flxible METRO — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
7
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1984 compare to other METRO years?
Does the 1984 Flxible METRO have recalls?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
DUE TO INCREASED BULB LOAD ON THE FLASHER, WHEN OPERATED IN HAZARD MODE, FLASHER DID NOT MEET PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108.
Consequence
BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy
INSTALL A COMBINATION TURN HAZARD FLASHER THAT COMPLIES WITH STANDARD.
Defect
THE FLASHING MODE OF THE DECELERATION LIGHT SYSTEM IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 108.
Consequence
FLASHING DECELERATION LIGHTS MAY BE CONFUSING TO OTHERDRIVERS; BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy
MODIFY DECELERATION LIGHTS TO REMOVE THE FLASHING MODE.
Defect
ONLY TWO EMERGENCY WINDOW EXISTS WERE IDENTIFIED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUS, INSTEAD OF THREE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 217. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 217.
Remedy
EMERGENCY EXIT INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED TO THE THIRD WINDOW ON THE LEFT SIDE TO IDENTIFY THIS WINDOW POSITION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.
Defect
CERTIFICATION LABELS CONTAIN ERRORS IN THE VIN CODE. ON SOME 1984 AND 1985 BUSES THE CHECK DIGIT CONTAINS A "DASH (-)" RATHER THAN THE REQUIRED NUMBER (8). ALSO ON SOME 1984 BUSES THE CODE FOR THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURER IS INCORRECT. THE TENTH DIGIT CONTAINS A "D" (1984) INSTEAD OF AN "E" (1985). CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: BUSES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 115.
Remedy
INSTALL A NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL WITH THE CORRECT VIN CODE WHERE THE CHECK DIGIT IS INCORRECT. ALSO NOTIFY THE OWNERS CONCERNING THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURER ERROR.
Defect
THE SAGINAW TILT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY HAS TWO PIVOT BUSHINGS AND TWO MATING RETAINING BOLTS. THESE RETAINING BOLTS CAN LOOSEN, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE PIVOT BUSHINGS TO MOVE INTO THE TURNING ARC OF THE COLUMN SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PIVOT BUSHINGS MOVE AND INTERFERS WITH UNIVERSAL JOINT OF THE COLUMN STEERING SHAFT IT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
THE TWO PIVOT BUSHINGS WILL BE REMOVED, GREASED, AND REINSTALLED IN THE COLUMN HOUSING. A THREAD LOCKING COMPOUND WILL BE USED ON THE THREADS OF THE TWO PIVOT BUSHING RETAINING BOLTS. THE TWO EXTERNAL TOOTH SHAKEPROOF LOCKWASHERS WILL BE REPLACED WITH INTERNAL TOOTH SHAKEPROOF LOCKWASHERS. THE PIVOT BUSHING RETAINING BOLTS WILL BE INSTALLED TO A SPECIFIED TORQUE VALUE.
Defect
SOME BUSES MAY HAVE MISALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND THE GEAR BOX.
Remedy
REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER JACKET TUBE BEARING, STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET, AND POSSIBLY THE WHEEL TUBE.
1984 Flxible METRO — common questions
Is the 1984 Flxible METRO reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1984 Flxible METRO have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1984 Flxible METRO. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.