Recall 16V144 affects 205 2011-2016 Van Hool motor coaches for driver-seat J-bracket weld defects. Repair is free at any franchised Van Hool dealer.
Van Hool is recalling 205 2011-2016 motor coaches, including TD925, C2045, T2145, TX45, TDX25, and A300L models, because certain Recaro driver-seat J-Brackets were missing welds. If the seat belt anchorage separates from the bracket in a crash, the driver is not properly restrained; Van Hool dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The Recaro Ergo-M driver seat in these 2011-2016 Van Hool A300L, C2045, T2145, TD925, TDX25, and TX45 motor coaches includes the seat belt anchorage. The anchorage is the structure that holds the belt to the seat, so it has to stay attached when the belt loads during a hard stop.
The problem is in the J-Bracket, a metal bracket that connects the seat belt anchorage assembly to the seat structure. On affected Recaro seats, required welds were left off after a component supplier changed the welding control plan without Johnson Controls' approval. Without the correct welds, the seat belt anchorage assembly can separate from the J-Bracket.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver is not expected to see a loose part, hear a noise, or feel a change in the seat before the anchorage separates.
Who's affected?
Covers the TD925, C2045, T2145, TX45, TDX25, and A300L bus lines across 2011-2016, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2014 Van Hool TD925 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Van Hool TD925 | seat assembly |
| 2011 Van Hool C2045 | seat assembly |
| 2011 Van Hool T2145 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Van Hool T2145 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Van Hool TD925 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Van Hool TX45 | seat assembly |
| 2014 Van Hool TX45 | seat assembly |
| 2013 Van Hool T2145 | seat assembly |
| 2013 Van Hool TD925 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Van Hool TDX25 | seat assembly |
| 2012 Van Hool A300L | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 205 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the seatbelt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver can be improperly restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk. Johnson Controls reported no warning sign before separation, so schedule the inspection and repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Van Hool dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Van Hool TD925, C2045, T2145, TX45, TDX25, or A300L motor coach is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Van Hool dealer to schedule the free seat inspection, with J-Bracket replacement if the inspection finds missing welds.
- Bring the recall notice if Van Hool mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V144 when you call.
- Ask the dealer about service-use limits until the driver seat belt anchorage has been inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Van Hool technician inspects the Recaro driver seats for missing welds on the J-Brackets. Any J-Bracket that lacks the required welds is removed and replaced. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a seat related repair before the recall notice, ask Van Hool or the service desk how to submit documentation under Van Hool's general reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 9, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 11, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 11, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 25, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V144?
Recall 16V144 covers 205 2011-2016 Van Hool motor coaches equipped with certain Recaro Ergo-M Commercial Bus Driver Seats. The affected seats have J-Brackets with missing welds, which can let the seat belt anchorage assembly separate. Van Hool's seat manufacturer dealers inspect and replace affected J-Brackets for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2016 Van Hool TD925, C2045, T2145, TX45, TDX25, or A300L is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 16V144. If it is, contact a franchised Van Hool dealer and ask for the Recaro seat J-Bracket inspection under recall 16V144. Any J-Bracket missing welds is replaced for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost. For recall 16V144, the seat manufacturer dealer inspects the Recaro driver seat and replaces any J-Bracket missing welds free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V144?
The risk is driver restraint failure during a crash. If the seat belt anchorage assembly separates from the J-Bracket, the bus driver is not properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury. The repair path is an inspection and free J-Bracket replacement when missing welds are found.
What if I bought this Van Hool coach used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or purchase history. Check your VIN, then give recall 16V144 to the Van Hool dealer so the service desk can confirm the inspection and free repair path.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V144000 |
|---|---|
| NHTSA recall # | 16V144 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V144000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →