2011 Thomas Built Buses HDX, 2011 Thomas Built Buses Minotour, 2011 Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF and 1 other model Recall: Seats

The defect

DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SAF-T-LINER C2, HDX, MVP-EF, AND MINOTOUR SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 21, 2009 THROUGH JANUARY 19, 2010. THE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION." SEAT CUSHION HINGE TOLERANCE MAY ALLOW THE CUSHION TO SLIP LATERALLY CAUSING THE LATCH STRIKER TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE SEAT FRAME. ONCE THE SEAT CUSHION BECOMES UNLATCHED IT CAN BE LIFTED WITH LESS FORCE THAN REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

The risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN MANEUVER, THE SEAT CUSHION MAY UNLATCH EXPOSING THE SEAT FRAME TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY.

The fix — what to do

DAIMLER TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY THOMAS BUILT BUSES DEALERSHIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, , 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER TRUCKS AT 1-800-547-0712.

DAIMLER TRUCKS' RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS FL-571.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .