Structure: body: roof and pillars (SMI)
Vehicle equipment recall 12E-017. NHTSA received SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING CO.’s report on May 7, 2012.
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The short answer
NHTSA received SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING CO.’s report on May 7, 2012. 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 AN EMERGENCY, A NONCOMPLIANT HATCH MAY NOT PROVIDE A MEANS OF READILY ACCESSIBLE EGRESS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC.
(SMI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN PROLO BUS ROOF ESCAPE HATCHES INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VARIOUS SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES SHIPPED FROM APRIL 1, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 25, 2012.
THESE HATCHES MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN USED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT PARTS.
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.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure: body: roof and pillars.
What should you do?
SMI IS WORKING WITH THE BUS MANUFACTURERS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR HATCH AFFECTED, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF PROLO MODEL AND PART NUMBER PROVIDED TO US BY SMI BY CLICKING ON THE HYPERLINK AFFECTED MODEL LIST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMI AT 1-800-951-7867 OR THEIR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.
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 .
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 15,462 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- SMI ProloNHTSA gives no dates made
Who is recalling it?
- Made by SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING CO..
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.
- Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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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.