RoadVitals

1978 Van-Con School Bus Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Newest Jun 8, 1981
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0

Recall campaigns

2 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Jun 8, 1981
150 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED SCHOOL BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES", IN THAT THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WERE NOT SPACED 6.5 INCHES APART.
The remedy: THE OWNER IS ASKED TO INSPECT HIS/HER SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE FOR THE REQUIRED 6.5 INCH CLEARANCE. THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE WILL BE CORRECTED AT NO CHARGE. THE OWNER ALSO HAS THE OPTION TO BRING HIS VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE DEALER INSPECT AND MAKE THE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS. IF THE OWNER WOULD LIKE TO REPOSITION THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES HIMSELF, THE DEALER WILL SEND A RETROFIT KIT CONSISTING OF THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THESE CORRECTIONS. THIS WILL BE SENT AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
VAN-CON, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 1, 1979
2,400 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES". THE KNURL BAR IN THE BUCKLE DOES NOT ADEQUATELY HOLD THE WEBBING IN PLACE UNDER LOAD.
The remedy: SEAT BELTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, A V-SHAPED METAL INSERT OF 16 GAUGE STEEL WILL BE FITTED OVER THE BUCKLE WEBBING GUIDE AND WELDED TO THE INSIDE BUCKLE FRAME.
VAN-CON, INCORPORATEDView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources