2002–2005 Van-Con School Bus Recall: VAN-CON 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR 15, 16, 20, 25, AND 30 PASSENGER…
NHTSA campaign 05V308000 · Other · filed Jul 5, 2005 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
VAN-CON 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR 15, 16, 20, 25, AND 30 PASSENGER SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON GMC, CHEVROLET, AND FORD CHASSIS. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE STOP ARM SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.
The risk
SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
VAN-CON WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND SPECIALTY MFG. WILL PROVIDE FREE OF CHARGE A SERVICE KIT (PART NUMBER 005178) WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPECIALTY MFG. AT 800-951-7867 OR VAN-CON AT 732-356-8484.
ALSO, CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
Other campaigns involving Van-Con vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 05V308000. Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.