Flxible Metro Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 20 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints across 15 model years of the Flxible Metro (1983–1998). The most-complained-about year is 1989.

Pick your Flxible Metro model year

• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998

What Flxible Metro owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The 1989 model year has the most, with 1.

• Latches/locks/linkages: latch1
• Power train: torque converter1
• Exterior lighting: headlights1
• Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
• Structure: body1
• Suspension: front1
• Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
• Air bags1

All Flxible Metro recalls (20)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Flxible Metro, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

   NHTSA 95V235000 Reported December 14, 1995 741 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   These buses have the headlights automatically activated whenever the windshield wipers are activated. No other exterior lights are activated by windshield wiper activation. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

   Remedy: Dealers will modify the electrical wiring to activate all exterior lights whenever the windshield wipers are activated.

   Model years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

2. Door (structure)

   NHTSA 93V050000 Reported April 1, 1993 487 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   The emergency release valve moves out of position causing it to become inoperative. When this happens, the entrance door cannot be opened by activating the emergency release handle.

   Remedy: The corrective action is being developed. Buses will be repaired when the corrective action has been determined.

   Model years: 1991

3. Anchorage (seat belts)

   NHTSA 90V203000 Reported December 14, 1990 1,447 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   Adjustable length tether belt on driver's air suspension type seat may not have been adjusted to the correct length during manufacture.

   Remedy: Properly adjust tether belts to correct length.

   Model years: 1988, 1989, 1990

4. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

   NHTSA 90V150000 Reported August 20, 1990 461 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   With approximately two threads engagement of steering wheel retaining nut with steering shaft, the steering wheel could separate from the steering column if nut loosens and falls off.

   Remedy: Replace steering wheel with new design wheel that allows full thread engagement of steering wheel retaining nut.

   Model years: 1989, 1990

5. Exterior lighting

   NHTSA 90V122000 Reported June 26, 1990 45 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   Retrofit light sockets for rear stop, turn, tail and backup light assemblies would cause the buses to be in non-compliance with FMVSS 108.

   Remedy: Install new light sockets and new rear light housings on buses.

   Model years: 1988

6. Visibility

   NHTSA 90V085000 Reported May 7, 1990 55 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   Window insert in driver's barrier enclosure was not marked in accordance with FMVSS 205.

   Remedy: Install a decal containing the required data on the glazing.

   Model years: 1987, 1989

7. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

   NHTSA 89V186000 Reported November 3, 1989 755 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   The clamp load may not fully engage on the mating steering box splines due to manufacturing tolerances and/or the pinch bolt may not be properly torqued.

   Remedy: Replace steering shaft.

   Model years: 1989

8. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

   NHTSA 89V172000 Reported October 16, 1989 167 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   The air lines to the right rear brake chamber can be pinched by the auxiliary heater cabinet if the air in the rear air suspension system bleeds out when a leak develops or the engine has not been run for an extended period of time.

   Remedy: Reroute air lines to right rear brake chamber to provide clearance with the auxiliary heater cabinet.

   Model years: 1989

9. Unknown or other

   NHTSA 89V169000 Reported October 12, 1989 51 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

   Floor anchorage insert bolts for securing wheelchair are subject to break.

   Remedy: Floor anchorage mounting insert design will be changed.

   Model years: 1988

10. Door (structure)

    NHTSA 89V040000 Reported March 22, 1989 4,758 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    The entrance door emergency release mechanism may exceed the 20 lb. Force allowed by FMVSS 217.

    Remedy: Repair release cable mechanism to comply with standard.

    Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

11. Seat belts

    NHTSA 88V196000 Reported December 27, 1988 551 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    The adjustable length tether belt installed between the drivers seat belt attachment on seat frame and anchorage attachment point failed to meet requirements of FMVSS 207.

    Remedy: The tether belt will be adjusted to the proper length on affected vehicles.

    Model years: 1988

12. Hazard flashing warning lights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 88V079000 Reported May 11, 1988 726 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    Due to increased bulb load on the flasher, when operated in hazard mode, flasher did not meet performance requirements of FMVSS 108.

    Remedy: Install a combination turn hazard flasher that complies with standard.

    Model years: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

13. Exterior lighting

    NHTSA 87V067000 Reported May 13, 1987 290 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    The flashing mode of the deceleration light system is not in compliance with FMVSS 108.

    Remedy: Modify deceleration lights to remove the flashing mode.

    Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

14. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 87V066000 Reported May 13, 1987 3,075 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    An incorrect bolt may have been installed to retain the tilt steering column pivot bushings.

    Remedy: Install proper sae grade 5 bolt.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987

15. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 87V068000 Reported May 13, 1987 3,122 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    Steering column lower shaft may be too long allowing excessive thrust load to be applied to upper housing bearings and steering transfer box bearings.

    Remedy: Replace steering column assembly with one of proper length.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987

16. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 86V171000 Reported December 23, 1986 1,102 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    Incorrect lock washers may have been installed on the tilt steering column pivot bushing bolts and the column housing pivot may be misaligned. Consequence of defect: pivot bolt could loosen and result in loss of steering control.

    Remedy: Install proper lock washer and correct misalignment of column housing pivot.

    Model years: 1985, 1986

17. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 86V158000 Reported December 1, 1986 125 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    Only two emergency window exists were identified on the left side of the bus, instead of three required by FMVSS 217. Consequence of defect: buses do not comply with FMVSS 217.

    Remedy: Emergency exit instructions will be added to the third window on the left side to identify this window position as an emergency exit.

    Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

18. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 85V137000 Reported October 25, 1985 866 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    Certification labels contain errors in the VIN code. On some 1984 and 1985 buses the check digit contains a "dash (-)" rather than the required number (8). Also on some 1984 buses the code for the year of manufacturer is incorrect. The tenth digit contains a "d" (1984) instead of an "e" (1985). Consequence of defect: buses are not in…

    Remedy: Install a new certification label with the correct VIN code where the check digit is incorrect. Also notify the owners concerning the year of manufacturer error.

    Model years: 1984, 1985

19. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 85V009000 Reported January 31, 1985 73 vehicles potentially affected FLXIBLE CORPORATION

    The saginaw tilt steering column assembly has two pivot bushings and two mating retaining bolts. These retaining bolts can loosen, which could allow the pivot bushings to move into the turning arc of the column shaft universal joint. Consequence of defect: if the pivot bushings move and interfers with universal joint of the column…

    Remedy: The two pivot bushings will be removed, greased, and reinstalled in the column housing. A thread locking compound will be used on the threads of the two pivot bushing retaining bolts. The two external tooth shakeproof…

    Model years: 1984

20. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 84V010000 Reported January 1, 1984 5,222 vehicles potentially affected GRUMMAN FLXIBLE CORP.

    Some buses may have misalignment of the steering column assembly and the gear box.

    Remedy: Replacement of the lower jacket tube bearing, steering mounting bracket, and possibly the wheel tube.

    Model years: 1983, 1984

Other Flxible models

• 111CCD0610 complaints
• 111CDD0510 complaints
• 111CDD0610 complaints
• 111DCD0610 complaints
• 111DDD0510 complaints
• 111DDD0610 complaints
• 350960 complaints
• 450960 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.