Recall 12V269 covers 1 2011 Startrans Senator bus with a Prolo roof hatch opening-force defect. Startrans provides the repair kit free.
Startrans is recalling 1 2011 Senator commercial bus because friction in the PROLO roof hatch can make the emergency exit harder to open than federal standards allow. In an emergency, that can hinder escape and raise injury risk for occupants; the Startrans dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2011 Startrans Senator uses a PROLO roof hatch as an emergency exit in the bus roof. The hatch is supposed to release and open with a force low enough for a passenger or operator to push it open when the normal door path is not usable.
On this bus, the rear plate assembly rubs too tightly against the nylon rear pop-up support. That added friction raises the force needed to open the roof hatch. During an emergency exit, the hatch can be harder to open than the federal bus emergency-exit standard allows.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is not a light on the dash or a noise during normal driving, it is the hatch requiring too much force when someone tries to open it.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Startrans Senator | body structure |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
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?
In an emergency, hindered bus egress can slow occupants trying to exit and increase the risk of injury. Keep emergency exits clear and schedule recall service so the exit equipment is corrected. Repair will be free at any franchised Startrans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Startrans Senator is included in this recall.
- Use the Startrans owner notice mailed on June 29, 2012, if you have it, and contact Startrans before starting the roof-hatch repair.
- Ask Startrans or a franchised Startrans service contact for the free SMI service kit and repair instructions that correct the Prolo roof hatch opening force.
- Reference recall number 12V269 when you call so the service desk can match the correct roof hatch repair.
- Keep the emergency roof hatch area clear until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Startrans technician uses the SMI service kit and repair instructions to correct the Prolo roof hatch hardware so the emergency exit opens with the required force. Startrans said owner notification and service kit support began in June 2012. If the campaign still needs completion, the dealer repair is free once available, and the kit and instructions are provided at no charge under the recall.
Timeline
| June 13, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 29, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V269?
Recall 12V269 covers 1 2011 Startrans Senator bus equipped with an SMI Prolo roof hatch. Increased friction in the rear plate and nylon pop-up support can make the emergency roof hatch harder to open than federal bus-exit requirements allow.
What should I do if my 2011 Startrans Senator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V269. If it is, contact a franchised Startrans dealer or Startrans at 1-574-6420811 and reference recall 12V269. The service kit and repair instructions are provided free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Startrans' recall remedy states that SMI provides the service kit and repair instructions to the dealer or owner free of charge. Federal recall law also requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed emergency exit through the roof hatch. If the hatch needs extra force to open during an emergency, occupants can have a harder time getting out of the bus, increasing injury risk. Recall 12V269 addresses that hatch-opening-force defect.
What if I bought the Startrans Senator used?
The free recall remedy still follows the vehicle. A used bus owner can check the VIN to confirm inclusion in recall 12V269, then contact a franchised Startrans dealer or Startrans with the recall number. The year and model are not enough. The VIN decides.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V269000 |
|---|---|
| Startrans customer service | 1-574-6420811 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V269 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V269000 |
Source documents
-
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 →