The problem
Navistar is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 IC Bus CE and 2013 IC Bus RE school buses, manufactured August 20, 2012, through September 4, 2012. The school bus restraining barriers may have an insufficient weld at the base of the barrier frame that does not comply with the requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS), No. 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."
The risk
The barriers may fail to restrain occupants from flying forward during crashes and sudden driving maneuvers, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected barrier frames. The recall began on October 10, 2013. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-331-332-1590. Navistar's recall number is 13513.
Contacts
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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 IC Bus dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 13V397000.
- 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.