Recall 12V330 affects 361 2010-2012 Turtle Top Vanterra, Terra Transport, Odyssey, Odyssey Xl, and Odyssey Lt buses for roof-hatch exit force. Repair is free.
Turtle Top is recalling 361 2010-2012 Vanterra, Terra Transport, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, and Odyssey buses because SMI Prolo roof hatches require too much force to open. The hatches do not meet the federal bus emergency-exit standard, which can hinder passenger escape in an emergency; the dealer repair will be free once Turtle Top makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The SMI Prolo roof hatch on 2010-2012 Turtle Top Vanterra, Terra Transport, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, and Odyssey buses is part of the roof emergency-exit system. In normal use, the hatch stays closed while the bus is moving, then pops up and opens when a passenger or rescuer pushes it during an evacuation. The hatch has to open with a controlled amount of force so people can use it under stress.
On affected buses, the rear plate assemblies and the nylon rear pop-up support have too much friction between them. That drag raises the force needed to open the Prolo roof hatch. When the hatch needs more force than the federal emergency-exit standard allows, it does not conform to the bus exit rule.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up when someone tries to open the roof hatch and the hatch takes more force than it should.
Who's affected?
Covers five Turtle Top bus models across the 2010-2012 model years, all tied to the same body structure component.
| 2011 Turtle Top Vanterra | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2011 Turtle Top Terra Transport | body structure |
| 2012 Turtle Top Vanterra | body structure |
| 2010 Turtle Top Terra Transport | body structure |
| 2011 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | body structure |
| 2012 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | body structure |
| 2011 Turtle Top Odyssey Lt | body structure |
| 2011 Turtle Top Odyssey | body structure |
| 2012 Turtle Top Odyssey | body structure |
| 2012 Turtle Top Terra Transport | body structure |
| 2010 Turtle Top Odyssey | body structure |
| Units affected | 361 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
An emergency-exit defect can slow passengers leaving the bus in an emergency and increase injury risk. Until it is repaired, make sure passengers and drivers know the marked exits and schedule the recall work. Repair will be free at any franchised Turtle Top dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2012 Turtle Top Vanterra, Terra Transport, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, or Odyssey is included in recall 12V330.
- Contact a franchised Turtle Top dealer or Turtle Top customer service to ask about the free Prolo roof hatch service kit.
- Schedule the Prolo roof hatch service kit that reduces hatch opening force so the emergency exit can release properly.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 12V330 when you call.
- Keep emergency roof exits clear and report any hard-to-open Prolo roof hatch before the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Turtle Top technician uses the SMI service kit and repair instructions to correct the Prolo roof hatch issue. The work is aimed at reducing friction between the rear plate assemblies and the nylon rear pop-up support so the emergency roof hatch opens within the required force range. Turtle Top notified owners after the recall began on August 16, 2012. The service kit, repair instructions, parts, and labor are provided free of charge under the recall.
Timeline
| July 11, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V330?
Recall 12V330 covers 361 2010-2012 Turtle Top commercial buses equipped with SMI Prolo roof hatches. Excessive friction in the hatch support parts can make the emergency roof hatch harder to open than federal safety rules allow. Service kits and repair instructions are provided free.
What should I do if my 2010-2012 Turtle Top Vanterra, Terra Transport, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, or Odyssey is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V330. If it is, contact a Turtle Top dealer or Turtle Top service support and ask for the SMI Prolo roof hatch service kit and repair instructions. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the safety defect at no cost. For recall 12V330, SMI provides the service kits and repair instructions to dealers and owners free of charge for the affected Prolo roof hatches.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed emergency exit through the roof hatch. If the Prolo roof hatch requires too much force to open, passengers can have a harder time getting out during an emergency, increasing injury risk for occupants. The fix addresses the hatch support parts.
When did the Turtle Top roof hatch recall begin?
The safety recall began on August 16, 2012. Because that date has passed, owners of affected 2010-2012 Turtle Top buses should use the VIN check to confirm coverage and then ask a Turtle Top dealer about the free SMI roof hatch service kit.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V330000 |
|---|---|
| Turtle Top customer service | 1-574-831-4349 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V330 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V330000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall 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 →