Recall 12V554 affects 977 2009-2011 Medtec Ambulance vehicles because bench-top screws can loosen and pull out. Repair is free at any franchised Medtec dealer.
Medtec is recalling 977 2009-2011 Ambulance vehicles because bench top securing screws can loosen when an attendant lands on the bench with force, such as after a road bump. If the screws pull out, the bench top can drop into the bench compartment and raise the risk of personal injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The attendant bench in a 2009-2011 Medtec Ambulance is the seat built into the patient compartment for a crew member riding beside the patient. The bench top is the seating surface, and screws hold that top to the bench structure so it stays secured while the ambulance moves.
In this recall, the bench top fasteners are the weak point. If an attendant comes down on the bench top with great force, including when the ambulance hits a road bump, the screws can loosen and pull out. Once that happens, the bench top is no longer anchored the way it was designed to be, so the seating surface can shift or separate under load.
There is no warning sign before failure. The bench top can look secure until a hard landing or road impact puts enough force on the screws to pull them loose.
Who's affected?
Covers one ambulance line across the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, tied to the same seat assembly.
| 2010 Medtec Ambulance | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2009 Medtec Ambulance | seat assembly |
| 2011 Medtec Ambulance | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 977 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the bench top securing screws pull out, the bench top can drop into the bench compartment cavity and increase the risk of personal injury. Avoid leaning on or loading that bench top until the vehicle is repaired. Repair will be free at any franchised Medtec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Medtec Ambulance is included in this recall.
- Contact Medtec customer service at 1-866-263-3832 to confirm repair access for your VIN.
- Schedule the free bench-top screw repair that secures the ambulance bench top and reduces the injury risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Medtec mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V554 when you call.
- Avoid using the bench top for seating until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Medtec's remedy notice says owners were notified and that dealers repair the ambulances free of charge. The issue is the bench top screw attachment: if the bench top hardware loosens, the dealer repair addresses that seating surface and its fasteners. The notice does not list the exact parts or inspection steps, so ask the Medtec service desk to confirm how the bench top screw repair will be handled before the vehicle is brought in.
Timeline
| November 30, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 8, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V554?
Recall 12V554 covers 977 2009-2011 Medtec Ambulance vehicles with bench top screws that can loosen and pull out during a hard impact, such as a road bump. If the bench top drops into the bench compartment, it raises the risk of personal injury.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Medtec Ambulance is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 12V554. If it is, contact a franchised Medtec dealer or Medtec at 1-866-263-3832 to schedule the bench top repair. Reference recall 12V554 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Medtec's recall remedy says dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. Federal recall law also requires the manufacturer to fix the safety defect at no cost when the vehicle is included in the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is personal injury inside the ambulance. If an attendant lands on the bench top with great force, the bench top securing screws can pull out. The bench top can then drop into the bench compartment instead of staying secured.
What if I bought this Medtec Ambulance used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific ambulance is included, then call a franchised Medtec dealer or Medtec at 1-866-263-3832 with recall 12V554.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V554000 |
|---|---|
| Medtec customer service | 1-866-263-3832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V554 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V554000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →