Smi Prolo Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 12E017000
Manufacturer: SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING CO.
Date of Owner Notification: May 24th, 2012

Defect Summary:
SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN PROLO BUS ROOF ESCAPE HATCHES INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VARIOUS SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES SHIPPED FROM APRIL 1, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 25, 2012. THESE HATCHES MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN USED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT PARTS. INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE REAR PLATE ASSEMBLIES, P/NO. 009327, AND THE NYLON REAR POP-UP SUPPORT, P/NO. 008956, MAY RESULT IN AN OPENING FORCE OF THE PROLO ROOF HATCHES THAT EXCEEDS FEDERAL STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THUS, THESE HATCHES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence Summary:
IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A NONCOMPLIANT HATCH MAY NOT PROVIDE A MEANS OF READILY ACCESSIBLE EGRESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Corrective Summary:
SMI IS WORKING WITH THE BUS MANUFACTURERS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR HATCH AFFECTED, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF PROLO MODEL AND PART NUMBER PROVIDED TO US BY SMI BY CLICKING ON THE HYPERLINK ?AFFECTED MODEL LIST.? THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMI AT 1-800-951-7867 OR THEIR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.

Recall Notes:
OWNERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .