VehicleVerdict

2003 Liberty Spirit problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2003 Liberty Spirit — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

What are the most common 2003 Liberty Spirit problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System150%
Body & Structure150%

Does the 2003 Liberty Spirit have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V049000Body & StructureJanuary 23, 2004 · 11 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

04V050000SeatsJanuary 23, 2004 · 11 units

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.

Consequence

THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

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.

04V058000Tires & WheelsJanuary 16, 2004 · 11 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES, THE CERTIFICATE LABEL FOR THE RIM SIZE IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

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.

03V461000Visibility & WipersNovember 11, 2003 · 11 units

Defect

2003 LIBERTY SPIRIT (FREEDOM) SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2002 AND OCTOBER 2003. THE DECAL FOR THE CROSS-VIEW MIRROR USAGE HAS FALLEN OFF WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Remedy

LIBERTY WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES 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 AT 419-227-6554.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 19, 2013

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 19, 2013

2003 Liberty Spirit — common questions

Is the 2003 Liberty Spirit reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 Liberty Spirit have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Liberty Spirit. 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.