Spectral Industries Recalls Vertical Emergency Exit Windows for School Buses
Spectral Industries is recalling vertical emergency exit windows for Blue Bird and Thomas Built school buses due to incorrect rivets that may cause handles to detach.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a safety-critical component (emergency exit) where a defect poses a risk of harm (children falling or climbing out) in non-emergency scenarios, but no injuries or deaths are reported in the source text.
Plain-English summary
Spectral Industries is recalling certain vertical emergency exit windows manufactured between July 18, 2011, and August 5, 2011. These windows were sold as original equipment for Blue Bird and Thomas Built school buses. The recall involves specific part numbers for both bus manufacturers, which are listed in the official NHTSA notice.
The defect involves the use of incorrect rivets to attach the handles used to remove the window in a crash. If the handle is actuated during a non-emergency situation and detaches, the emergency window cannot be re-secured, posing a risk that children may fall or climb out. However, the source notes that if the handle detaches during an emergency, the exit window will still open and egress will not be hindered.
Owner notification will be handled by the vehicle manufacturers. Spectral Industries will provide repair kits to these manufacturers, who will instruct owners that repairs can be performed free of charge by an authorized dealer, a local repair facility, or by the owner themselves. Owners may contact Spectal at 1-450-378-6722 or their vehicle manufacturer for more information.
The recalled product
- Product
- EQUIPMENT recall
- Manufacturer
- SPECTAL INDUSTRIES
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus Component
- Affected units
- 440
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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