2011–2012 Arboc Freedom, 2011–2012 Arboc Spirit of Mobility Recall: Structure

The defect

ARBOC SPECIALTY VEHICLES, LLC (ARBOC) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 SPIRIT OF MOBILITY AND FREEDOM TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 25, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH PROLO ROOF ESCAPE HATCHES. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

The risk

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, EGRESS OF THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

The fix — what to do

ARBOC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. WILL PROVIDE SERVICE KITS ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS AND OWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ARBOC AT 1-574-825-1720 OR SMI AT 1-800-951-7867.

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> .