The problem
Vehicle description: school buses. Restraining barriers and reinforcement plates may be installed incorrectly. Nuts used to secure the plate the floor may be missing or the reinforcement plate may be mounted in a non-standard location. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 222, "School bus passenger seating and crash protection."
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the barriers and plates, install any nuts that are missing, and mount the reinforcement plate correctly.
Contacts
Owner notification began may 5, 2000. 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 1-336-881-7219. 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 99V173000.
- 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.