Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2003 Nabi 40lfw — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINES, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WILL NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO ACTIVATE THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR.
Consequence
ENGINE MALFUNCTION COULD POSSIBLE LEAD TO ENGINE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
NABI IS WORKING WITH DETROIT DIESEL TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 256-831-4296.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, THE FRONT AXLE STOPS AND THE POWER STEERING GEAR HYDRAULIC LIMIT VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. THE DRAG LINK MAY EXPERIENCE PERMANENT DEFORMATION DUE TO THE STEERING LOAD.
Consequence
DURING LONG TERM OPERATION INVOLVING REPEATED FLEXING OF THE DRAG LINK, IT MAY EVENTUALLY CRACK AND BREAK. THE DRIVER WILL NO LONGER HAVE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DRAG LINKS WITH A STRONGER DRAG LINK. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR HYDRAULIC LIMIT VALVE SETTINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 16, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 256-831-4296.
Defect
ON CERTAIN 40' AND 60' TRANSIT BUSES, THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES POWER TO THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN AND POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS SUBJECT TO BECOMING UNSTABLE.
Consequence
WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER WILL BE SUBJECTED TO HARD TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
NABI IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND EATON CORPORATION WILL PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. EATON WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 20, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT EATON AT 952-967-7168 OR NABI AT 1-888-424-5844.
Defect
CETAIN EATON HYDRAULICS MOTOR MANIFOLD ASSEMBLIES MODEL MCD 7810, REV G, P/N 02-198616, PART OF MOTOR MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY 100AT00002A PRODUCED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2002 AND MARCH 2004 AND SOLD FOR USE ON NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) TRANSIT BUSES MODEL 40LFW. THE LACK OF AN ORIFICE IN THE PROPORTIONAL VALVE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY LEADS TO PRESSURE OSCILLATIONS WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY LEAD TO A DEGRADATION OF POWER-ASSISTED STEERING.
Consequence
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
NABI IS DOING THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. NABI WILL INSTALL AN ORIFICE FREE OF CHARGE. SEE RECALL 04V-474.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, THE THICKNESS OF THE PAINT ON THE CONTACT SURFACE OF THE WHEELS EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM THICKNESS RECOMMENDED.
Consequence
THE LUG NUTS COULD LOOSEN AND CAUSE PREMATURE WHEEL FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE THE WHEELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGANMARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Nabi 40lfw. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.