Seats: barriers (Spirit)
Vehicle recall 10V-400. NHTSA received TURTLE TOP’s report on Sep 7, 2010.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received TURTLE TOP’s report on Sep 7, 2010. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED.
TURTLE TOP IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 SPIRIT (MFSAB TERRA TRANSPORT) MULTI-FUNCTION SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 27, 2004 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH FREEDMAN SEATING COMPANY SEAT RESTRAINT BARRIERS.
THE AFFECTED SEATS CONTAIN A STEEL PLATE WITH INCORRECT GAGE OF STEEL WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, “SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Seats: barriers.
What should you do?
TURTLE TOP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. OR, IF THE OWNER PREFERS, REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY A TURTLE TOP DEALER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FREEDMAN SEATING COMPANY AT 1-800-443-4540 EXT 233 OR TURTLE TOP’S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-296-2105 TO OBTAIN A REPAIR KIT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 36 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Spirit Mfsab Terra Transportand 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by TURTLE TOP.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.