Recall 26V479 affects 502 2017-2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence buses for rear spring hanger washers. Free repair at franchised Arboc dealers once available.
Arboc is recalling 502 2017-2026 Spirit Of Independence transit buses over wrong-size washers on the rear spring hanger bolts. The rear spring hanger can detach from the frame and raise crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once Arboc makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The rear spring hanger on the 2017-2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence is the bracket area that anchors the rear leaf spring to the bus frame. The washer on the hanger bolt sits under the bolt head or nut and spreads clamping force across the bracket, so the fastener holds the spring hardware tight as the suspension moves.
On affected buses, the wrong size washer was installed during manufacturing. Its outside diameter is smaller than the remedy washer, so it does not cover as much of the hanger bracket around the bolt. That leaves less bearing surface at a critical suspension fastener and can let the joint work against the hardware instead of staying clamped.
The listed warning signs are noises from the rear of the bus or ill handling. Treat new rear suspension noise, looseness, or a change in how the bus tracks as a warning sign that the hanger bolt hardware needs inspection.
Who's affected?
The same SAE flat washer is tied to both rear suspension and critical fastener components across the 2017-2026 Spirit Of Independence scope.
| 2025 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2022 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2022 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2023 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2023 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2024 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2024 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2021 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2021 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2017 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2017 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2018 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2018 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2019 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2019 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2020 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | rear suspension |
| 2020 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| 2025 Arboc Spirit Of Independence | suspension component |
| Units affected | 502 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents 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?
A rear spring hanger that detaches from the frame increases the risk of a crash. Listen for noises from the rear of the vehicle or poor handling. If either shows up, park the vehicle and call an Arboc dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Arboc dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence is included in this recall.
- Watch for Arboc's owner notification letter, expected September 18, 2026, before you schedule the repair.
- Contact a franchised Arboc dealer once scheduling opens for the free washer installation that secures the rear spring hanger bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if Arboc has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V479 when you call.
- Limit bus use until the repair is complete because the rear spring hanger can detach from the frame.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair will be free once available. At the dealer, an Arboc technician will install the correct washers on the rear spring hanger bolts. Owner letters are expected September 18, 2026, so scheduling starts after Arboc opens the repair process. If you already paid out of pocket for a related rear spring hanger bolt washer repair before the recall notice, Arboc's standard reimbursement plan on file covers documented expenses. Keep the repair order and payment proof for the service desk or Arboc customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 24, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| July 31, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V479?
Recall 26V479 covers 502 2017-2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence transit buses with a rear spring hanger bolt washer issue. Wrong-size washers were listed for the rear spring hanger bolts. Arboc dealers will install the correct washers for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2026 Arboc Spirit Of Independence is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 26V479. If it is, contact a franchised Arboc dealer to schedule the washer installation. Reference recall number 26V479 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Arboc says dealers will install the correct washers free of charge. Use recall number 26V479 when you contact the dealer service desk.
What is the safety risk?
The rear spring hanger can detach from the frame, increasing crash risk under recall 26V479. The repair path is to have an Arboc dealer install the correct washers for free before returning the bus to regular service.
When will owners be notified about recall 26V479?
Arboc expects to mail owner notification letters on September 18, 2026. You do not need to wait for a letter to act. Check your VIN, then call an Arboc dealer or Arboc customer service at 1-866-953-5555 with recall number 26V479.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V479000 |
|---|---|
| Arboc customer service | 1-866-953-5555 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V479 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V479000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on August 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →