2018 Arboc Spirit Of Independence problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (2)
Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:hanger/Bracket 2026-07-24 · campaign 26V479000 · 502 vehicles
Defect: ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (ARBOC) is recalling certain 2017-2026 Spirit of Independence transit buses. The wrong size washers may have been installed on the rear spring hanger bolts.
Risk: The rear spring hanger may detach from the frame, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install the correct washers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2026. Owners may contact ARBOC customer service at 1-866-953-5555.
Seats 2018-11-16 · campaign 18V813000 · 62 vehicles
Defect: ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (ARBOC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 ARBOC Spirit of Freedom, Spirit of Mobility and Spirit of Independence-Pro Master transit buses, equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: ARBOC has notified owners, directing them to contact Freedman for repairs of the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or ARBOC at 1-574-825-4880.
Service bulletins (11)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2025-02-05 · AR880 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint: drawn‐over‐mandrel (dom) tube cracks in frame at rear spring, front frame brackets cause: dom tube to frame tolerance variations correction: weld cracks in dom tube to frame connection step 1) pull unit onto hoist, chock tires to prevent bus from moving. step 2) disconnect negative batter
Structure:body 2025-02-05 · AR879 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint: structural stress crack of chassis frame at outrigger supports cause : concentrated stress loads correction: drill stop holes into frame, weld cracks and weld provided reinforcement plate to affected area
Structure:body 2025-02-04 · AR878 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint: structural stress crack of chassis frame at front of rear suspension cause: concentrated stress loads correction: drill stop holes into frame, weld cracks and weld provided reinforcement plate to affected area
Structure 2020-11-18 · AR880 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ar880-2018-2019 spirit of independence-ford chassis (soi-f). drawn-over-mandrel (dom) tube frame reinforcement. complaint: drawn-over-mandrel (dom) tube cracks in frame at rear spring, front frame brackets. cause: dom tube to frame tolerance variations. correction: weld cracks in dom tube to frame c
Structure 2020-11-18 · AR879 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ar879- 2018-2019 spirit of independence-ford (soi-f) frame outrigger reinforcement-complaint: structural stress crack of chassis frame at outrigger supports. cause: concentrated stress loads. correction: drill stop holes into frame, weld cracks and weld provided reinforcement plate to affected area.
Suspension 2020-11-18 · AR878 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ar878- 2018-2019 spirit of freedom (sof-f) front frame reinforcement-complaint: structural stress crack of chassis frame at front of rear suspension. cause: concentrated stress loads. correction: drill stop holes into frame, weld cracks and weld provided reinforcement plate to affected area. vehicl
Showing the 6 most recent of 11 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.