Recall 14V456 affects 1 2013 Sutphen Minitower fire truck for a seat belt buckle that can trap the latch plate. Repair is free.
Sutphen is recalling 1 2013 Minitower fire truck under recall 14V456 because its IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckle can leave the latch plate partly engaged after the release button is pressed. This can make the belt difficult to unlatch, slow exit during an emergency, and increase the risk of injury; the dealer repair will be free once Sutphen makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The seat belt buckle in the 2013 Sutphen Minitower is the receiver for the latch plate on the belt webbing. In normal use, the latch plate clicks into the buckle to hold an occupant in place, then releases cleanly when the buckle button is pressed. This recall covers Minitower fire trucks equipped with IMMI-brand L9 buckles.
The defect appears during unlatching, not while fastening the belt. When the release button is pressed, the latch plate can remain partly caught inside the buckle instead of coming free. That partial engagement makes the belt difficult to unlatch and means the belt assembly does not meet the federal seat belt standard named in the recall.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign is the release button being pressed and the belt not letting go cleanly, so the buckle needs attention before the truck stays in service.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Sutphen Minitower | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1 |
Not every 2013 Sutphen Minitower truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt buckle latch plate that stays partly engaged after release can slow exit from the vehicle. In an emergency, delayed egress increases injury risk. Schedule the inspection when Sutphen opens the remedy path. Repair will be free at any franchised Sutphen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Sutphen Minitower is included in this recall.
- Use Sutphen's owner notification, mailed September 15, 2014, to confirm the repair instructions.
- Contact Sutphen customer service at 1-866-287-5549 and reference recall number 14V456 when you call.
- Arrange the free seat-belt-buckle inspection and replacement that fixes the buckle that can stay partly latched after release.
What happens at the repair
Sutphen's remedy is for a Sutphen representative to inspect the IMMI L9 seat belt buckle and replace the buckle if the latch plate does not release correctly. Because the current remedy status is not listed, do not assume the final service visit can be scheduled now. Once Sutphen opens the repair, the inspection, replacement buckle, and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| July 2, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 15, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V456?
Recall 14V456 covers 1 2013 Sutphen Minitower fire truck with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. The latch plate can remain partly engaged after the release button is pressed, making the belt difficult to unlatch. Sutphen will inspect and replace the buckle if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Sutphen Minitower is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fire truck is included in recall 14V456. If it is, contact Sutphen customer service at 1-866-287-5549 and ask for the seat belt buckle inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 14V456 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Sutphen says a representative will inspect and replace the seat belt buckle as necessary free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is delayed exit from the fire truck during an emergency. If the latch plate stays partly engaged after the release button is pressed, the seat belt can be difficult to unlatch, increasing injury risk when quick egress is needed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V456000 |
|---|---|
| Sutphen customer service | 1-866-287-5549 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V456 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V456000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 →