Recall 12V287 affects 44 2012-2013 Ic Bus Re and Ce buses for roof escape hatches with excessive opening force. Repair is free at Ic Bus dealers.
Ic Bus is recalling 44 2012-2013 Re and Ce commercial buses because Prolo roof escape hatches take too much force to open and fail the federal emergency-exit standard. In an emergency, that extra opening force interferes with getting occupants out, and the dealer repair will be free once Ic Bus makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The roof escape hatch on 2012-2013 Ic Bus Re and Ce buses is an emergency exit built into the bus roof. It is supposed to open with a controlled push so passengers and drivers have another way out after a crash, rollover, or other emergency. NHTSA campaign 12V287 ties the issue to buses equipped with Prolo roof escape hatches.
On affected buses, friction builds between the rear plate assemblies and the nylon rear pop-up support inside the hatch mechanism. That added friction raises the force needed to open the hatch. When the opening force is too high, the hatch does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 217 for bus emergency exits, window retention, and release.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the amount of force needed during an emergency, so the hatch can look normal until someone tries to open it.
Who's affected?
Spans the Re and Ce buses across the 2012-2013 model years, all tied to the same body-structure component.
| 2012 Ic Bus Re | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ic Bus Ce | body structure |
| 2013 Ic Bus Ce | body structure |
| 2013 Ic Bus Re | body structure |
| Units affected | 44 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A blocked or hard-to-use bus exit can slow evacuation in an emergency and increase injury risk for occupants. Keep exit paths clear and schedule the recall work promptly, especially before carrying passengers. Repair will be free at any franchised Ic Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Ic Bus Re or Ce bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer to ask about the free Prolo roof escape hatch service kit and repair instructions.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 12V287 when you call.
- Avoid placing the bus in service until the roof escape hatches have been checked, since excess opening force can hinder emergency exit.
- Call Ic Bus customer service at 1-260-461-1890 if the dealer needs recall details.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ic Bus technician follows Specialty Manufacturing's repair instructions for the Prolo roof escape hatches. The kit addresses excess friction between the rear plate assemblies and the nylon rear pop-up support so the hatch opening force meets the required emergency-exit standard. The remedy record says SMI provides service kits and repair instructions to dealers and owners, free of charge. The dealer repair remains covered under the recall once available.
Timeline
| June 21, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 3, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V287?
Recall 12V287 covers 44 2012-2013 Ic Bus Re and Ce commercial buses with Prolo roof escape hatches. Friction inside the rear plate and pop-up support can make the hatch opening force exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 217. The repair uses service kits provided free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Ic Bus Re or Ce is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V287. If it is, contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer and reference recall 12V287. The dealer or owner repair kit path is free, with service kits and repair instructions supplied for this recall.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The recall remedy states that service kits and repair instructions are provided to dealers and owners free of charge. Ask the Ic Bus dealer how they handle the kit installation for recall 12V287 before scheduling service.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed emergency exit through the roof hatch. If the Prolo hatch takes too much force to open, people on the bus can have a harder time getting out during an emergency, which increases injury risk. The free service kit corrects the hatch issue.
When did the repair become available?
The safety recall began on August 3, 2012. That date is in the past, so owners with an affected 2012-2013 Ic Bus Re or Ce should contact a franchised Ic Bus dealer now and reference recall 12V287.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V287000 |
|---|---|
| Ic Bus customer service | 1-260-461-1890 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V287 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V287000 |
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →