Replacement stop arms malfunction
Defect Summary
Specialty manufacturing (smc) 5-series stops arms manufactured between january 7, 2002, and february 25, 2005, and sold for use as replacement parts for various school buses. in extremely cold weather, the microswitches used internally to position the sign in the open and closed positions may malfunction, causing the sign to open or close in an improper position, or to not open at all.
Safety Consequence
Should the stop arm not perform properly, a child or pedestrian may be endangered by passing vehicles should the motorist not stop at the correct location.
Corrective Action
Smc will notify its customers and repair the stop arms with a replacement switch pack that includes switches that are not as sensitive to extreme cold weather. the recall is expected to begin during may/june 2005. owners may contact smc at customer center at 1-800-951-7867.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Safe Fleet or involving N/A.
FAQ: Recall 05E038000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 05E038000?
NHTSA recall 05E038000 was issued by Safe Fleet on May 17, 2005. It addresses: Replacement stop arms malfunction. The recall affects approximately 2,680 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Safe Fleet dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 05E038000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.