1984–2001 Setra S215, 1994–2002 Setra S217, 2003–2009 Setra S417 Recall: Equipment

The defect

SETRA IS RECALLING 490 MY 1984-2001 S215, MY 1994-2002 S217 AND MY 2003-2009 S417 MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY EXITS. THESE MOTOR COACHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." WHEN A RELEASE MECHANISM IS NOT LOCATED WITHIN AN OCCUPANT SPACE OF AN ADJACENT SEAT, A LABEL MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF S5.5.2 THAT INDICATES THE LOCATION OF THE NEAREST RELEASE MECHANISM SHALL BE PLACED WITHIN THE OCCUPANT SPACE. EXAMPLE: "EMERGENCY EXIT INSTRUCTIONS LOCATED NEXT TO SEAT AHEAD" THESE LABELS ARE NOT INSTALLED IN THE MOTOR COACHES MENTIONED IN THE EXAMPLE ABOVE.

The risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, WITHOUT THE CORRECT INSTRUCTIONS A PASSENGER MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO UNLATCH AND OPEN THE EMERGENCY EXIT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL SEND LABELS WITH A SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS EXPLAINING THE LOCATION OF THE LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SETRA AT 1-800-882-8054.

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .