NHTSA Campaign 02V160009

SEAT BELTS

Issued by FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION · Reported Oct 31, 2002 · 2,371 vehicles affected

What's wrong

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL OR TRANSIT BUSES WITH PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WITH RETRACTORS, THE COVER HALVES FOR THE RETRACTABLE PORTION OF THE BELT CAN SEPARATE COMPLETELY AND RELEASE THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR. IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY. THE SEAT BELT SUPPLIER, AMSAFE, WILL PROVIDE A SNAP ON "OVER-COVER" TO OWNERS TO PREVENT THE SEAT BELT COVER FROM SEPARATING.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, ONE OF THE LOAD BEARING PINS IN THE CONNECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR AND RENDER THE SEAT BELT UNUSABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN AN INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A PLASTIC OUTER COVER THAT SNAPS OVER THE EXISTING COVER ON UNITS IN THE FIELD AND WILL REPLACE BROKEN SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. 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 336-841-5924 OR AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
THOMAS CONVENTIONAL 2000 2,371
THOMAS CONVENTIONAL 2001 2,371
THOMAS ER MODEL 2000 2,371
THOMAS ER MODEL 2001 2,371
THOMAS MVP EF 2000 2,371
THOMAS MVP EF 2001 2,371
THOMAS MVP ER 2000 2,371
THOMAS MVP ER 2001 2,371
THOMAS BUILT BUSES MINOTOUR DRW 2000 2,371
THOMAS BUILT BUSES MINOTOUR DRW 2001 2,371
THOMAS BUILT BUSES MINOTOUR SRW 2000 2,371
THOMAS BUILT BUSES MINOTOUR SRW 2001 2,371

Source: NHTSA Campaign 02V160009 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.