The defect
Double K Inc. (Double K) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Hometown Trolley Villager, Mainstreet, and Streetcar trackless trolley buses, equipped with Recaro Commercial Bus Driver Seats, models Ergo R, Ergo D, AM71, AM72 and AM80. In the affected seats, the seat belt buckle may be stuck in the locked position, preventing the seat belt tongue from being able to be inserted and locked. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
The risk
If the seat belt cannot be latched, the bus may be operated without the seat belt being used, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Double K will notify owners, and dealers will replace the buckle housings, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact Recaro customer service at 1-248-364-3818 or Double K customer service at 1-715-478-5090. Double K's number for this recall is 17E035.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Hometown Trolley Mainstreet | 2016, 2017 |
| Hometown Trolley Streetcar | 2016, 2017 |
| Hometown Trolley Villager | 2016, 2017 |
Components: SEAT BELTS | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hometown Trolley Mainstreet | 2016 | 0 | 1 |
| Hometown Trolley Mainstreet | 2017 | 0 | 3 |
| Hometown Trolley Streetcar | 2016 | 0 | 1 |
| Hometown Trolley Streetcar | 2017 | 0 | 3 |
| Hometown Trolley Villager | 2016 | 0 | 1 |
| Hometown Trolley Villager | 2017 | 0 | 3 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2017
28 of the 810 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2017 concerned the seat belts; Double K Inc. filed 5 campaigns in all.
| 17V826000 18 Dec 2017 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 17V729000 17 Nov 2017 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 17V685000 27 Oct 2017 | Eldorado National- California, Inc. |
| 17V666000 19 Oct 2017 | Van-Con, Inc. |
| 17V659000 18 Oct 2017 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 17V617000 4 Oct 2017 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 17V567000 14 Sept 2017 | General Motors LLC |
| 17V542000 31 Aug 2017 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2017