Recall 16V224 affects 10 2016 Elkhart ECE4 transit buses because seats can separate from base frames. Seat replacement is free at a franchised Elkhart dealer.
Elkhart recall 16V224 covers 10 2016 ECE4 transit buses with seats that can separate from the base frame after bolt failure. In a crash, a separating seat increases injury risk for the occupant, and the dealer repair will be free once Elkhart opens the remedy.
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What's wrong?
The seats in the 2016 Elkhart ECE4 transit bus are bolted to a base frame that anchors each passenger position to the vehicle floor structure. Those bolts are supposed to hold the seat and frame together under normal driving loads, braking, and passenger movement. The seat only does its job if the fasteners keep the base frame tight and secure.
In this recall, the problem is not the seat cushion or the frame itself. Freedman Seating reported that a shipment of fasteners received on January 15, 2016 had reduced strength. Those weaker hex-head cap screws can fail, which lets the seat separate from its base frame instead of staying fixed in place.
There is no warning sign before failure. A seat can feel normal until a fastener breaks, so owners and operators should treat VIN inclusion as the deciding factor rather than waiting for looseness or visible damage.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Elkhart ECE4 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 10 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Elkhart ECE4 bus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the seat can separate from the base frame and increase the risk of injury to the person in that seat. Confirm whether your VIN is included and arrange the seat replacement when the dealer can perform it. Repair will be free at any franchised Elkhart dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Elkhart ECE4 is included in this recall.
- Contact Elkhart customer service at 1-574-264-5179 to confirm the seat replacement status for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 16V224 when you call, and ask where Elkhart directs the free seat replacement.
- Keep passengers out of affected seats until the seat-base bolt failure is inspected and the seats are replaced.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Elkhart technician replaces the seats covered by recall 16V224, addressing the seat separation condition tied to bolt failure. The final dealer repair is free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Elkhart has a general reimbursement plan on file for owner-paid repairs tied to this recall. If you already paid for a related seat repair before the recall repair, keep the invoice and payment records and contact customer service to ask how to submit the documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 19, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 14, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 14, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 14, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 14, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V224?
Recall 16V224 covers 10 2016 Elkhart ECE4 transit buses with seats that can separate from the base frame if the bolts fail. In a crash, that seat separation raises injury risk for the occupant. Dealers replace the seats for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Elkhart ECE4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V224. If it is, contact a dealer to schedule the free seat replacement. Reference recall 16V224 and Forest River recall number 42-04162016-0177 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 16V224 is free seat replacement by a dealer. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in NHTSA campaign 16V224 is seat separation during a crash. If the seat separates from its base frame, the occupant has a higher risk of injury. The repair path is seat replacement at no charge.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began June 14, 2016. That date came from the manufacturer's remedy notice for recall 16V224. Owners can contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-264-5179 or a dealer to confirm repair availability for a specific VIN.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V224000 |
|---|---|
| Elkhart customer service | 1-574-264-5179 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V224 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V224000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →