The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·17E019000·Announced 2017-03-21

Hickory Springs Recalls School Bus Seats Due to Loose Belt Hardware

Hickory Springs is recalling specific school bus seats because a loose nut may allow the shoulder belt D-ring to detach in a crash, increasing injury risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

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 structural vehicle defect (seat belt hardware) that increases the risk of injury in a crash, but the source text does not report any actual injuries or fatalities, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company (HSM) is recalling certain QS11, QSCR11, QSJ11, and Davenport school bus seats that include three-point lap/shoulder seat belts. The recall addresses a defect where the D-ring mounting nut may be loose or missing.

If the nut is loose or missing, the shoulder belt D-ring may detach during a crash. This failure could prevent the seat belt from adequately restraining the occupant, thereby increasing the risk of injury in a collision.

HSM has notified the bus manufacturers that purchased the affected seats. An HSM field service technician will inspect the school buses equipped with these seats and repair them as necessary at no charge. The recall began on March 30, 2017. Owners may contact HSM customer service at 1-800-438-5341 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
SEATS recall
Manufacturer
Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
Category
Vehicle — School Bus Seats
Hazard
Affected units
1,549

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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