The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·18V472000·Announced 2018-07-20

Van-Con Recalls School Buses Due to Seat Foam Crash Protection Defect

Van-Con is recalling 2011-2018 33803 Dual Rear Wheel school buses because seat foam may not absorb enough impact in a crash, increasing injury risk.

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 structural vehicle defect (seat foam crash protection) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products.

Plain-English summary

Van-Con, Inc. is recalling certain 2011-2018 33803 Dual Rear Wheel school buses. The recall affects vehicles equipped with CE White/HSM SB11-30" series standard unbelted school bus seats, or SB11-30" series school bus seats with lap belts only.

The foam in the knee impact area of the lower seat back may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection." If the seat foam does not absorb enough impact energy, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Van-Con will install a parts kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Van-Con customer service at 1-732-356-8484 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
VAN-CON 33803 DUAL REAR-WHEEL
Brand
VAN-CON
Manufacturer
Van-Con, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — School Bus
Hazard
Affected units
1,376

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • 33803 DUAL REAR-WHEEL

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

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Same hazard · crash injury

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