Laguna Hills, CA – October 16, 2018 – Collins Bus Corporation (Collins) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Collins SL, SH, DH, DE, and TH school buses, built on Promaster chassis, equipped with CE White/HSM SB11-30″ series, standard, unbelted, school bus seats, or SB11-30″ series school bus seats with lap belts only, due to insufficient passenger leg protection.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, HSM Solution has determined that SB11-30″ and 26″ School bus seats not installed in the rear row of a school bus as manufactured by CE White/ HSM solutions may not comply with the impact requirements of CFR 49.571.222.
Specifically, the foam in the knee impact area of the lower seat back may be insufficient, and may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash. If the seat foam does not absorb enough impact energy, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Timeline of Events
On October 1, 2018 Collins was notified by Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company HSM (recall 18E056), about a potential safety issue in SB 11-30″ and SB11-26″ Series School bus seats. The seats not installed in the rear row of the school buses fail to conform to Federal Motor vehicle safety standard No. 571.222″ School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection”, specifically the requirements for leg protection zones.
The affected population was determined to include a potential 2,667 vehicles with SB11-30″ seats manufactured by HSM Solutions/CE White Company which had been shipped between April 24, 2011 and July 17, 2018, or SB11-26″ seats manufactured by HSM Solution/CE white company, shipped between April 24, 2011 and September 7, 2018. Collins issued a voluntary recall to add foam to the seats.
The Solution
Collins will notify owners, and dealers will install additional foam into the seat backs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 31, 2018. Owners may contact Collins customer service 1-800-533-1850, extension 424. Collins’ number for this recall is 18e056.
HSM Solutions/CE White will facilitate the repairs via with the Collins dealers or customer. HSM will provide parts and a service repair procedures “SRP1801-0013 (for 30″Seat) and SRP1801-0014 (for 26″seat) which will provide instruction on how the repair must be conducted, to the servicing agent upon receipt of a completed HSM “Recall Parts Kit Order Card”. The expected out of service time necessary to affect repairs is 10 mins per seat.
Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-696.
