Recall 10V400 covers 36 2005-2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport buses with wrong-gauge seat barrier steel. Free repair kits and dealer repairs are covered.
Spirit is recalling 36 2005-2009 Mfsab Terra Transport school activity buses because Freedman seat restraint barriers were built with the wrong-gauge steel plate. In a crash, that barrier defect can injure the seat occupant, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat restraint barrier in a 2005-2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport bus is part of the passenger seating system. It is the protective barrier tied to the school bus seating layout, and its job is to help manage occupant movement in a crash under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 222.
On the affected buses, Freedman Seating Company barriers were built with a steel plate made from the wrong gauge of steel. Gauge is the thickness specification for the plate. Because that plate is not the specified gauge, the seat barrier does not conform to the school bus passenger seating and crash protection standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. The barrier can look installed and intact during normal use, so the defect has to be handled through the recall repair path, not by waiting for a visible symptom.
Who's affected?
Spans 5 model years, all listed with the same seat assembly component.
| 2007 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport | seat assembly |
| 2006 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport | seat assembly |
| 2005 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport | seat assembly |
| 2008 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 36 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the seat issue leaves the occupant at risk of injury. Keep using the vehicle only with that crash risk in mind, and confirm whether your VIN is included before arranging service. Repair will be free at any franchised Spirit dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2005-2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport is included in this recall.
- Contact Freedman Seating at 1-800-443-4540 or Spirit customer service to request the free seat-restraint-barrier repair kit.
- Ask a franchised Spirit dealer to complete the free repair if you prefer dealer service.
- Reference recall number 10V400 when you call so the dealer or customer-service desk can find the correct seat barrier campaign.
- Keep the bus out of passenger service until the incorrect steel plate in the seat restraint barrier is repaired.
What happens at the repair
The record does not list a current remedy status, but it says the recall repair path began on September 14, 2010. The repair is handled through a free repair kit with instructions for the Freedman seat restraint barriers. If the owner prefers dealer service, a Spirit dealer installs the supplied kit instead, with the repair provided free of charge. The work addresses the restraint barrier hardware tied to the incorrect steel plate gage in the affected school activity buses.
Timeline
| September 7, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V400?
Recall 10V400 covers 36 2005-2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport school activity buses with Freedman seat restraint barriers that use the wrong steel gage. The barrier does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 222, and seat occupants face injury risk in a crash.
What should I do if my 2005-2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V400. If it is, ask a franchised Spirit dealer about the free repair, or call Freedman Seating Company at 1-800-443-4540 for the repair kit and instructions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 10V400, the remedy is a free repair kit with instructions, or a free dealer repair if the owner chooses that path.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V400?
The safety risk is occupant injury in a crash. Recall 10V400 involves a seat restraint barrier with the wrong steel gage, so the barrier does not meet the school bus passenger seating and crash protection standard named in the filing.
When did the recall repair start?
The safety recall began on September 14, 2010. Because that date has passed, owners of affected 2005-2009 Spirit Mfsab Terra Transport buses can ask about the free repair kit or dealer repair now.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V400000 |
|---|---|
| Spirit customer service | 1-800-443-4540 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V400 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V400000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →