Recall 12V348 affects 2 2011 Elkhart 9215-0200 and 9250-0700 buses for roof escape hatches with excessive opening force. Repair is free.
Elkhart is recalling 2 2011 transit buses, models 9215-0200 and 9250-0700, because ProLo roof escape hatches require too much force to open and do not meet the bus emergency-exit standard. In an emergency, a hard-to-open hatch can block a ready exit and increase injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The ProLo roof escape hatch on 2011 Elkhart 9215-0200 and 9250-0700 transit buses is an emergency exit built into the bus roof. In normal use, the hatch should release with an opening force low enough for passengers or crew to operate it when the regular doors are not the path out.
On the affected buses, friction increases between the rear plate assemblies inside the hatch hardware. That extra resistance makes the hatch harder to open and pushes the opening force above the limit required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, which covers bus emergency exits and window release.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is in the roof hatch mechanism, not a system that gives the driver a dashboard light or other clear alert before the hatch binds.
Who's affected?
Both Elkhart bus models use the same body structure component; the VIN decides whether a specific bus is included.
| 2011 Elkhart 9215-0200 | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2011 Elkhart 9250-0700 | body structure |
| Units affected | 2 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
In an emergency, the noncompliant hatch can keep occupants from having a readily accessible exit, increasing the risk of injury. Treat this as an emergency-exit issue and schedule the recall repair so the hatch is brought into compliance. Repair will be free at any franchised Elkhart dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Elkhart 9215-0200 or 9250-0700 bus is included in this recall.
- Review the Elkhart owner notice from July 2012, then call Elkhart at 1-574-264-5179 if the bus has not been repaired.
- Schedule the free roof-hatch repair that fixes excess opening force in the ProLo roof escape hatches.
- Reference recall number 12V348 when you call or when the bus goes in for repair.
- Keep emergency exits clear and avoid placing the bus in passenger service until the roof-hatch repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Elkhart said owner notification began in July 2012 and that the affected buses would be repaired free of charge. At the dealer or authorized service location, an Elkhart technician repairs the ProLo roof escape hatch condition so the hatch opening force meets the emergency-exit standard. Because the current remedy status is not listed as available, confirm scheduling with Elkhart before sending the bus in. The final repair is free once available.
Timeline
| July 23, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V348?
Recall 12V348 covers 2 2011 Elkhart 9215-0200 and 9250-0700 transit buses equipped with ProLo roof escape hatches. Friction in the rear plate assemblies can make the hatch opening force exceed the federal bus emergency exit standard. Elkhart repairs the buses for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Elkhart 9215-0200 or 9250-0700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V348. If it is, contact Elkhart or a franchised Elkhart service location and reference recall 12V348. The repair has been open since July 2012 and is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Elkhart's recall remedy says these buses will be repaired free of charge. Federal recall rules also require the manufacturer to correct the safety defect at no cost to the owner when the vehicle is included in the campaign.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced emergency exit access through the roof hatch. In an emergency, a noncompliant hatch can be harder to open, which raises the risk of injury to occupants who need to exit the bus quickly.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V348000 |
|---|---|
| Elkhart customer service | 1-574-264-5179 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V348 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V348000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (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 →