The problem
Setra is recalling 490 my 1984-2001 s215, my 1994-2002 s217 and my 2003-2009 s417 motor coaches equipped with emergency exits. These motor coaches fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "Bus emergency exits and window retention and release." When a release mechanism is not located within an occupant space of an adjacent seat, a label meeting the requirements of s5.5.2 That indicates the location of the nearest release mechanism shall be placed within the occupant space. Example: "emergency exit instructions located next to seat ahead" these labels are not installed in the motor coaches mentioned in the example above.
The risk
In the event of a crash, without the correct instructions a passenger may not know how to unlatch and open the emergency exit increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Dealers will send labels with a service instructions explaining the location of the labels free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during march 2009. Owners may contact setra at 1-800-882-8054.
Contacts
Customers 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> .
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 Setra dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 09V044000.
- 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.