The problem
Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain 2011 IC Bus BE, CE, and RE school buses equipped with certain non-retractable passenger two-point seat belts. After long term buckling and unbuckling of the seat belt, the plastic fingers on the male portion of the buckle may crack and fall off, requiring excessive force to buckle the seat belt.
The risk
The seat belt may not easily buckle, increasing the risk of an injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
Navistar will notify owners and dealers will replace the seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Navistar issued owners an interim notification on August 16, 2019. The recall began September 23, 2019. Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825.
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. NHTSA is missing critical, required information for this safety recall. This information must be supplied through the NHTSA Recalls Portal within 5 working days of confirming its accuracy: - An identification and description of the risk to motor vehicle safety reasonably related to the defect or noncompliance, as described by an increased risk of injury, fire or crash (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(5)). - A description of the manufacturer's program for remedying the defect or noncompliance (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(8)(i)).
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 19V478000.
- 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.