ARBOC Specialty Vehicles Recalls Spirit of Freedom and Spirit of Mobility Buses for Brake System Defects

What Happened

ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, LLC (ARBOC) has initiated a recall for certain transit buses due to a manufacturing defect involving the hydraulic service brakes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the rear brake lines on these vehicles may have been installed incorrectly. This error can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) modulator valve to malfunction. Consequently, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, which governs “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems.”

Which Products Are Affected

The recall affects approximately 871 units. The following models and years are included in this action:

• ARBOC Spirit of Freedom: Model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
• ARBOC Spirit of Mobility: Model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

What You Should Do

ARBOC will provide instructions to owners on how to reroute and re-connect the rear brake lines. This repair will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by April 24, 2026. Owners may contact ARBOC customer service directly at 1-866-953-5555 for more information regarding the repair process.

Why This Matters

The malfunction or loss of the rear ABS system can significantly increase the risk of a vehicle crash, posing a serious safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and others on the road.

Source

Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Campaign Number 26V137000.