Recall 16V005 covers 257 2015 Trans Tech Roadstar, Student Safety Transport, and ST Aero buses with peeling stop-arm decals. Free Trans Tech dealer repair.
Trans Tech is recalling 257 2015 Roadstar, Student Safety Transport, and ST Aero school buses because reflective decals can peel loose from certain stop arms. A missing reflector reduces the stop arm's visibility to other drivers, which increases the risk of a crash; Trans Tech dealers will repair the stop arms free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On affected 2015 Trans Tech Roadstar, Student Safety Transport, and ST Aero school buses, the stop arm is the folding sign that swings out when the bus loads or unloads students. Its reflective decal helps drivers see the stop arm and stop for children around the bus.
In recall 16V005, the decal can peel loose because the plastic blade was not prepared correctly before the decal was applied. The manufacturing process used flame treatment to change the plastic surface so adhesive would bond, then pressure to seat the decal. On these parts, the surface temperature change after flame treatment was not what the process expected, and the decal did not receive the right application pressure. That leaves the decal less secure on the blade and means the stop arm no longer meets the school bus pedestrian safety device standard.
The visible warning sign is decal de-lamination, or the reflective layer lifting from the blade. Not every affected decal shows lifting to the eye, so the manufacture date has to be checked by physical inspection.
Who's affected?
Covers three 2015 Trans Tech school bus models, all tied to the same school bus stop arm assembly.
| 2015 Trans Tech Roadstar | School bus stop arm assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Trans Tech Bus Student Safety Transport | School bus stop arm assembly |
| 2015 Trans Tech Bus ST Aero | School bus stop arm assembly |
| Units affected | 257 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
A stop arm without its reflective decal is harder for other drivers to see and increases crash risk. Decal peeling is a warning sign, but a normal-looking decal does not clear the vehicle, so have the stop arm inspected and schedule the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Trans Tech dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Trans Tech Roadstar, Student Safety Transport, or ST Aero is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Trans Tech dealer to schedule the free stop-arm blade assembly replacement that restores reflective decal visibility.
- Bring the recall notice if Trans Tech sent one. If not, reference recall number 16V005 when you call.
- Inspect the stop arm for loose or peeling reflective decal before student pickup use, and keep the bus out of route service until the dealer repairs it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Trans Tech technician replaces the stop arm blade assembly covered by recall 16V005. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The repair addresses the stop arm assembly with the reflective decal that can peel loose from the blade. If you already paid out of pocket for a stop arm blade assembly repair tied to this recall, Trans Tech's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk when you schedule the recall work.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 8, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 18, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| January 18, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 18, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 18, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 27, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V005?
Recall 16V005 covers 257 2015 Trans Tech Roadstar, Student Safety Transport, and ST Aero school buses with stop arm reflective decals that can peel loose. Without the reflective decal, the stop arm has reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing crash risk. Trans Tech dealers will replace the stop arm blade assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Trans Tech Roadstar, Student Safety Transport, or ST Aero is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V005. If it is, contact a franchised Trans Tech dealer or Trans Tech customer service at 1-845-988-0419 to arrange the stop arm blade assembly replacement. Reference recall number 16V005 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Trans Tech dealers will replace the stop arm blade assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 16V005.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V005?
The safety risk is reduced stop arm visibility. In recall 16V005, the reflective decal on the stop arm can peel loose, which makes the stop arm less visible to other drivers and increases crash risk around the school bus.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair became available when recall 16V005 began on January 27, 2016. Owners can contact a franchised Trans Tech dealer to schedule replacement of the stop arm blade assembly, free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V005000 |
|---|---|
| Trans Tech customer service | 1-845-988-0419 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V005 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V005000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →