Recall 10V094 covers 3 2008-2009 Trans Tech school buses with noncompliant Freedman seat barriers. Repair is free through Trans Tech.
Trans Tech is recalling 3 2008-2009 RONDAK4F+9, STH5, and Q86-5 school buses because the Freedman school bus barriers do not meet school bus seating and crash-protection requirements. In a crash, a passenger's knee can contact the rear of the barrier and cause injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Freedman school bus barrier on the 2008-2009 Trans Tech RONDAK4F+9, STH5, and Q86-5 is part of the passenger seating and crash-protection area. A barrier is installed near seating positions to help control passenger movement during a crash. It works with the seat structure and padding so the passenger area meets the school bus crash-protection standard referenced in NHTSA campaign 10V094.
On these buses, the Freedman 33 1/2-inch school bus barriers do not meet that federal seating and crash-protection requirement. The filing does not identify a broken latch, cracked frame, or separate owner-service part as the cause. The problem is a compliance issue with the installed barrier, so the barrier has to be corrected to bring the bus back into the required school bus seating standard.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners and fleet operators should not expect a light, noise, or handling change to show that the barrier is noncompliant.
Who's affected?
Covers three Trans Tech bus models across the 2008 and 2009 model years, all tied to the same seat assembly.
| 2009 Trans Tech RONDAK4F+9 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2008 Trans Tech STH5 | seat assembly |
| 2008 Trans Tech Q86-5 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 3 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
During a crash, a passenger's knee can hit the rear surface of the noncompliant restraining barrier and cause personal injury. There is no warning sign because the risk comes from the barrier design. Keep normal restraint use in place and arrange the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Trans Tech dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2009 Trans Tech RONDAK4F+9, STH5, or Q86-5 school bus is included in this recall.
- Watch for the Trans Tech owner notice mailed April 5, 2010, or call Trans Tech if the bus changed owners and the notice never reached you.
- Call Trans Tech at 1-845-988-2333 for service instructions and reference recall number 10V094.
- Arrange the free school-bus barrier repair that corrects the noncompliant passenger seating and crash-protection barrier.
- Limit passenger use until the barrier repair is complete, especially when students sit behind the affected restraining barrier.
What happens at the repair
The source record says Trans Tech began the safety recall on April 5, 2010, and will repair the buses free of charge. At the dealer or authorized service location, a Trans Tech technician handles the school bus barrier noncompliance tied to the Freedman seating barriers covered by campaign 10V094. The remedy text does not name the exact parts or adjustment steps, so ask the service desk to confirm the repair procedure before the bus is brought in. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once the repair is available for the VIN.
Timeline
| March 11, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V094?
Recall 10V094 covers 3 2008-2009 Trans Tech RONDAK4F+9, STH5, and Q86-5 school buses with Freedman school bus restraining barriers that do not meet crash-protection requirements. The repair is free through Trans Tech service support.
What should I do if my 2008-2009 Trans Tech RONDAK4F+9, STH5, or Q86-5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V094. If it is, contact Trans Tech service support or a franchised Trans Tech service location to arrange the barrier repair. Reference recall number 10V094 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Transportation Collaborative, Inc. said owners would be notified and the buses repaired free of charge. Federal recall law also requires the manufacturer to provide the approved recall remedy at no cost to the owner.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V094?
The risk is occupant injury during a crash. The rear surface of the noncompliant restraining barrier can contact a passenger's knee in a crash. If your VIN is included, arrange the free repair before returning the bus to regular student service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V094000 |
|---|---|
| Trans Tech customer service | 1-845-988-2333 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V094 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V094000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →