Recall 16V950 affects 16 2015-2016 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty transit buses for unexpected parking-brake engagement. The programming update is free at any franchised Arboc dealer.
Arboc is recalling 16 2015-2016 Spirit Of Liberty transit buses because opening the entry door at any speed can engage the parking brake. If that happens while the bus is moving, the unexpected braking can increase the risk of a crash; Arboc dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The entry-door interlock on the 2015-2016 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty is electrical programming that connects the door controls with the parking brake system. Its normal job is to coordinate the door and brake functions so the bus stays controlled when passengers board, without applying the parking brake while the bus is moving.
On affected buses, that programming lets the parking brake engage when the entry door is opened at any speed. The problem is not a broken mechanical brake part; it is an electrical programming change in the interlock function. Arboc first treated the repair instruction as optional, then required the modification after a bus without the repair had the parking brake apply at highway speeds.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver would notice the problem only when the entry door is opened and the parking brake applies instead of staying released while the bus is underway.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2015 and 2016 model years, with the same electrical system software listed for both.
| 2015 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2016 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 16 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected parking brake engagement while the vehicle is moving can increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the parking brake engages, so schedule the programming update soon and treat any parking brake fault as a dealer call. Repair is free at any franchised Arboc dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Arboc dealer to schedule the free software update that stops the entry door from engaging the parking brake while the bus is moving.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, or reference recall number 16V950 when you call.
- Keep the entry door closed while the bus is moving until the programming update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Arboc technician updates the vehicle's programming that controls the entry door and parking brake interaction. The repair is available now, and the programming update is free under recall 16V950. For the 2015-2016 Spirit Of Liberty buses included in this recall, the service visit should focus on the software update described by Arboc, not a paid inspection or customer-pay repair. Ask the service desk to confirm the recall campaign is open for the VIN before the bus is brought in.
Timeline
| December 23, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 23, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| January 23, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 23, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V950?
Recall 16V950 covers 16 2015-2016 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty transit buses with software that lets the parking brake engage when the entry door opens at any speed. If that happens while the bus is moving, crash risk increases. Arboc dealers update the vehicle programming for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Arboc Spirit Of Liberty is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V950. If it is, contact a franchised Arboc dealer to schedule the vehicle programming update. Reference recall number 16V950 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Arboc's remedy says dealers will update the vehicle programming free of charge. The recall repair has been available since January 13, 2017.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected parking brake engagement while the bus is moving. Arboc says the parking brake can engage if the entry door is opened at any speed, increasing crash risk. Schedule the free programming update with a franchised Arboc dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V950000 |
|---|---|
| Arboc customer service | 1-866-953-5555 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V950 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V950000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →