Recall 11V546 affects 161 2007-2011 Startrans Mfsab buses with seats blocking part of the rear emergency exit. Repair is free at any franchised Startrans dealer.
Startrans is recalling 161 2007-2011 Mfsab school activity buses because seats partially block the rear door emergency exit. In an emergency, that obstruction can hinder evacuation and increase injury risk for bus occupants; the Startrans dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear emergency exit on 2007-2011 Startrans Mfsab school activity buses is the rear door passengers use when the main entry door is not the safest way out. It is supposed to give students and other riders a clear path out of the bus during an emergency. The bus seating layout is part of that safety system because the aisle and exit area need enough open space for people to move through.
On affected buses, seats partially block the rear door emergency exit. The door itself is the exit point, but the seat placement narrows or obstructs the path leading to it. That means the bus does not meet the emergency-exit and window-retention requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 217.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a layout problem, not a part that wears out, so an owner or fleet operator would notice it only by inspecting the rear exit area and seat placement.
Who's affected?
Spans five Mfsab model years, all tied to the same body door structure component.
| 2010 Startrans Mfsab | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2009 Startrans Mfsab | body structure |
| 2007 Startrans Mfsab | body structure |
| 2011 Startrans Mfsab | body structure |
| 2008 Startrans Mfsab | body structure |
| Units affected | 161 |
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?
If an emergency happens, hindered bus egress can keep occupants inside longer and increase the risk of injury. Keep exit paths clear, brief drivers on emergency exits, and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Startrans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2011 Startrans Mfsab is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Startrans dealer to ask about the free repair that clears the rear emergency exit area.
- Bring the recall notice if Startrans sent one. If not, reference recall number 11V546 when you call.
- Keep the rear emergency exit area clear of loose items until the repair is complete.
- Call Startrans customer service at 1-877-258-1391 with questions about scheduling or owner notice status.
What happens at the repair
The remedy filing says Startrans began owner notification on January 23, 2012, and dealers repair the buses free of charge. The filing does not name a specific part replacement or labor step. The repair should address the blocked rear emergency exit so the rear door exit is clear of the bus seats. The final dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN. Ask the Startrans service desk what inspection and repair steps apply before the bus returns to passenger service.
Timeline
| November 9, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 23, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V546?
Recall 11V546 covers 161 2007-2011 Startrans Mfsab school activity buses with rear emergency exits partly blocked by bus seats. The buses do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, and Startrans dealers will repair the buses free of charge.
What should I do if my 2007-2011 Startrans Mfsab is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 11V546. If it is, contact a franchised Startrans dealer to schedule the rear emergency exit repair. Reference recall number 11V546 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Startrans stated that dealers will repair the affected buses free of charge. Call Startrans at 1-877-258-1391 or contact a franchised dealer for scheduling.
What is the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 11V546 says the rear emergency exit is partly blocked by seats. In an emergency, that obstruction can hinder people leaving the bus, which increases injury risk for occupants. The remedy path is a free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Startrans Mfsab used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether the bus is included, then reference recall number 11V546 when you call a franchised Startrans dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V546000 |
|---|---|
| Startrans customer service | 1-877-258-1391 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V546 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V546000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →