Recall 26V349 covers 70 2025-2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit transit buses for wheelchair retractor lock failure. Repair will be free once available.
Arboc Specialty Vehicles is recalling 70 2025-2026 Spirit Of Mobility, Spirit Of Freedom, Spirit Of Equess, and Spirit Of Independence transit buses under recall 26V349 because wheelchair retractors do not lock as intended. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit and increase the risk of injury; the dealer repair will be free once Arboc Specialty Vehicles makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair restraint system in these 2025-2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Mobility, Spirit Of Freedom, Spirit Of Equess, and Spirit Of Independence buses uses retractors to hold tie-down straps in place. Those straps secure the wheelchair to the bus floor, while the lap and shoulder belt help restrain the passenger. The retractor's normal job is to take up slack and lock so the chair stays fixed during travel.
In affected buses, the retractor locking action does not work as designed. NHTSA campaign 26V349 identifies the defect in the restraint assembly, where the retractors do not lock and the wheelchair is not properly secured. That leaves the chair less controlled than intended when the bus is moving, stopping, or turning.
There is no warning sign before failure. A restraint can appear connected before travel, but the key problem is whether the retractor locks when it needs to hold the wheelchair in place.
Who's affected?
Covers four Spirit bus models across the 2025 and 2026 model years, all tied to the same wheelchair restraint critical fasteners.
| 2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Mobility | Critical fasteners |
|---|---|
| 2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Freedom | Critical fasteners |
| 2025 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Equess | Critical fasteners |
| 2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Independence | Critical fasteners |
| Units affected | 70 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit and increase the risk of injury. Confirm whether your VIN is included before carrying wheelchair passengers, and ask the dealer how to keep passengers secured until the inspection is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Arboc Specialty Vehicles dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Mobility, Spirit Of Freedom, Spirit Of Equess, or Spirit Of Independence is included in this recall.
- Wait for the owner letter expected to be mailed July 24, 2026 before scheduling, unless Arboc Specialty Vehicles gives you earlier instructions.
- Call Arboc Specialty Vehicles customer service at 1-866-953-5555 with questions and reference recall number 26V349.
- Avoid transporting wheelchair passengers in an unrepaired bus if the wheelchair retractors do not lock.
- Bring the recall notice when the dealer inspection opens for the free retractor inspection and replacement that fixes wheelchair restraints that do not lock.
What happens at the repair
Arboc Specialty Vehicles has not listed the remedy as available yet. Once the repair opens, a technician at an Arboc Specialty Vehicles dealer will inspect the wheelchair securement retractors and replace any retractors that do not lock as required. The final dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 26V349. Owner letters are expected to be mailed July 24, 2026, so use that notice when arranging service with the dealer.
Timeline
| May 28, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V349?
Recall 26V349 covers 70 2025-2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Mobility, Spirit Of Freedom, Spirit Of Equess, and Spirit Of Independence transit buses. The wheelchair securement retractors can fail to lock, which can leave a wheelchair unsecured during transit and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Arboc Specialty Vehicles Spirit Of Mobility, Spirit Of Freedom, Spirit Of Equess, or Spirit Of Independence is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 26V349. If it is, contact an Arboc Specialty Vehicles dealer to schedule the retractor inspection. Dealers will replace the retractors if needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Arboc Specialty Vehicles dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as needed for free.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unsecured wheelchair during transit. If the retractor does not lock, the wheelchair can move while the bus is in use, increasing the risk of injury for the wheelchair occupant or other passengers.
When will owners be notified?
Arboc Specialty Vehicles expects to mail owner notification letters on July 24, 2026. You do not have to wait for a letter to act. Check your VIN, then reference recall 26V349 when you contact the dealer or customer service at 1-866-953-5555.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V349000 |
|---|---|
| Arboc Specialty Vehicles customer service | 1-866-953-5555 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V349 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V349000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →