Emergency roof hatches/fmvss 217
Defect Summary
Daimler trucks north america (dtna) is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2013 thomas built saf-t-liner ef, saf-t-liner hdx, saf-t-liner c2, and minotour non school buses manufactured from april 5, 2011, through april 23, 2012, equipped with specialty manufacturing inc. (smi) prolo roof hatches. increased friction between the rear plate assemblies, p/no. 009327, and the nylon rear pop-up support, p/no. 008956, may result in an opening force of the prolo roof hatches that exceeds federal standard requirements. thus, these hatches fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release."
Safety Consequence
In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.
Corrective Action
Thomas built buses will notify owners. smi will provide service kits along with repair instructions to dealers and owners, free of charge. the safety recall began on august 22, 2012. owners may contact thomas built buses at 1-336-889-4871 or smi at 1-800-951-7867.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Daimler Trucks North America, Llc or involving Structure.
FAQ: Recall 12V297000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 12V297000?
NHTSA recall 12V297000 was issued by Daimler Trucks North America, Llc on June 28, 2012. It addresses: Emergency roof hatches/fmvss 217. The recall affects approximately 163 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Daimler Trucks North America, Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 12V297000 or the manufacturer campaign number FL-630. 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.