The problem
Vehicle description: certain school buses equipped with syntec seats fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 222, "School bus passenger seating and crash protection." Some seats (1) fail to meet the required four inch clearance during the test procedure, while still meeting the post test condition; (2) fail to meet the required frontal pre-load when testing under certain conditions; or (3) while still meeting the required force/defection, experience weld breakage.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly protected.
The fix
Dealers will replace the seat frame and the seat back cushion on these vehicles. Owner notification began november 13, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact thomas built at 336-889-4871.
Contacts
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Thomas dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 01V341000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.