VehicleVerdict

2003 Nabi 45clfw problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2003 Nabi 45clfw — 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

How does 2003 compare to other 45clfw years?

45clfw NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted1 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints
45clfw NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 45clfw years to avoid →

Does the 2003 Nabi 45clfw have recalls?

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

13V247000BrakesJune 13, 2013 · 515 units

Defect

North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2003-2013 45CLFW and 2013 40CLFW transit buses manufactured November 1, 2008, through June 7, 2013. The air brake pedal mounting may become loose during application of the brake pedal.

Consequence

If the brake pedal comes loose during use, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes as expected and required, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

NABI will notify owners and inspect and repair the buses, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2013. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-241-1298. NABI's recall number is 20134.

12V324000SteeringJuly 10, 2012 · 339 units

Defect

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2011 45CLFW TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2011. THE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE CONNECTION IN THE JOINT BETWEEN THE STEERING PITMAN ARM AND A TAPERED SPLINED SHAFT ON THE STEERING GEAR. THE SPLINES MAY WEAR OVER TIME RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence

A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

NABI WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.

08V437000BrakesAugust 26, 2008 · 164 units

Defect

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING 164 MY 2003-2004 45CLFW COMPOSITE BODIED TRANSIT BUSES. AFTER PROLONGED USE OF THE PARKER CHECK VALVE, THE VALVE BODY RETAINER MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN, AND EVENTUALLY BREAK APART.

Consequence

PIECES OF THE VALVE COULD BECOME LODGED WITHIN THE SPRING BRAKE VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A LEAK OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SPRING BRAKE VALVE. THIS COULD CAUSE A DELAY IN BRAKE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING (PARKING) BRAKES AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH CONTROL VALVE, SPRING BRAKES NOT FULLY RELEASING, OR LOSS OF ISOLATION BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CIRCUITS. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY, BRAKE DRAG, OR IN THE CASE OF LOSS OF PRIMARY CIRCUIT, THE INABILITY TO MODULATE THE SPRING B RAKES.

Remedy

NABI IS WORKING WITH BENDIX TO REPLACE THE PARKER CHECK VALVES (PLEASE SEE 07E038). OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENDIX AT 1-440-329-9000 OR NABI AT 1-888-391-1777.

07V298000BrakesJuly 13, 2007 · 164 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE MAY LEAK CAUSING A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH VALVE BUTTON.

Consequence

THIS COULD DELAY OR FAILURE IN APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BENDIX, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NABI, IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 07E-037). BENDIX WILL INSTALL A CHECK VALVE REPAIR KIT FOR THE AFFECTED SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENDIX AT 440-329-9000 OR NABI AT 256-831-4296.

05V088000SteeringMarch 9, 2005 · 3,680 units

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.

2003 Nabi 45clfw — common questions

Is the 2003 Nabi 45clfw reliable?

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.

Does the 2003 Nabi 45clfw have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Nabi 45clfw. 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.