Total Complaints
2 filings
FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS · model year
2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS
2 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003FREIGHTLINERFS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS is structure:body with 1 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2003 FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
Recalls (2)
05V20500027/04/2005
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
CERTAIN 1998-2003 MY FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS AND MB-45, MB-55, AND XB SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS, AND THOMAS BUILT BUS: MVP-ER AND MVP-EF SCHOOL BUS AND NON-SCHOOL BUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB DIESEL ENGINES AND EQUIPPED WITH FEDERAL-MOGAL 12 AND 24 VOLT FUEL LIFT PUMPS. THE FUEL PUM
03V48800004/12/2003
STEERING
ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUS, XC RV, AND SHUTTLE BUS CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1 AND JULY 18, 2003, INCORRECT AXLE STEERING STOP BOLTS WERE INSTALLED ON AAC FRONT AXLES. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO TURN THE FRONT WHEELS IN EITHER DIRECTION UNTIL THE TIRES CONTACT OR DAMAGE OTHER STEERING COMPONENTS.
Recent Complaints
20120924STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A STATE INSPECTION THE INSPECTOR FOUND CRACKS ON THE CROSS MEMBER IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,014. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE $ 1,180.02. UPDATED 05/06/13
Mileage: 190,014
20120924STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A STATE INSPECTION THE INSPECTOR FOUND CRACKS ON THE CROSS MEMBER IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,014. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE $ 1,180.02. UPDATED 05/06/13
Mileage: 190,014
Compare 2003FREIGHTLINERFS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
PE24032Preliminary EvaluationClosed
EVDM connector plate separation
PE21006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
PE21002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Trolley bus circuit breaker fires
PE20014Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
PE20006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS have?▼
The 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS?▼
Yes, the 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS is STRUCTURE:BODY with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 2003 FREIGHTLINER FS-65 SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.