NHTSA Recall 02V160006
Filed by Champion Bus, Inc.. Component: Seat Belts. Reported 2002-10-29. An estimated 599 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CP TRAVELING RETRACTOR LAP (TYPE 1) SEAT BELTS, THE PLASTIC COVER HOUSING THE RESERVE END OF THE SEAT BELT WEB CAN BREAK. IF THE TWO HALVES OF THE COVER COMPLETELY SEPARATE, THE CONNECTOR PORTION OF THE BELT WILL DETACH FROM THE COVER. ONCE DETACHED, THE CONNECTOR RIVET CAN SEPARATE FROM THE CONNECTOR FRAME CAUSING THE FRAME TO BECOME UNUSABLE.
Risk
THIS CONDITION CANNOT OCCUR DURING USE, HOWEVER, THE BELT WILL BE UNSUABLE AND MAY RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT SEATING POSITION WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, AN UNBELTED INDIVIDUAL COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
What the manufacturer will do
AMSAFE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND 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 AMSAFE AT 574-266-8330 OR CHAMPION AT 810-724-6474.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Vehicles covered by this recall
- 1999 Champion Cgt
- 2000 Champion Cgt
- 2001 Champion Cgt
- 1999 Champion Challenger
- 2000 Champion Challenger
- 2001 Champion Challenger
- 1999 Champion Contender
- 2000 Champion Contender
- 2001 Champion Contender
- 1999 Champion Crusader
- 2000 Champion Crusader
- 2001 Champion Crusader
- 1999 Champion Cts
- 2000 Champion Cts
- 2001 Champion Cts
- 1999 Champion Defender
- 2000 Champion Defender
- 2001 Champion Defender
- 1999 Champion General
- 2000 Champion General
- 2001 Champion General