2019 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Freedom problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2026-03-11 · campaign 26V137000 · 908 vehicles
Defect: ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (ARBOC) is recalling certain 2018-2026 Spirit of Freedom and Spirit of Mobility transit buses. The rear brake lines may have been installed incorrectly causing the anti-lock brake system (ABS) modulator valve to malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
Risk: Loss of the rear ABS system can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: ARBOC will provide instructions to reroute and re-connect the rear brake lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2026. Owners may contact ARBOC customer service at 1-866-953-5555.
Structure:emergency:escape/Egress/Exit 2019-12-09 · campaign 19V870000 · 35 vehicles
Defect: ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (ARBOC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Spirit of Freedom and Spirit of Mobility vehicles equipped with Specialty Prolo Roof Hatches. The roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."
Risk: If the roof hatch external handle breaks, in the event of an emergency, the hatch cannot be easily opened from outside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: ARBOC will notify owners, and Specialty will replace the roof hatch handles free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact ARBOC customer service at 1-866-953-5555 or Specialty customer service at 1-800-951-7867.
Service bulletins (2)
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.
Electrical System 2026-02-13 · TSB 2601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the purpose of this is to alert dealer/owners that there are potential unprotected circuits. this is for 2019-2026 som/sof units that we are adding thermal protection.
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
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.