Recall 16V281 affects 6 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey buses for seat-base separation in a crash. Free repair at any franchised Turtle Top dealer.
Turtle Top is recalling 6 2016 Odyssey transit buses because seat bolts can fail and the seat can separate from the base frame. In a crash, that separation increases injury risk for the occupant; Turtle Top dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The seat assembly in these 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey transit buses is bolted to a base frame under the seat. The hex head cap screws and seat studs are the fasteners that hold the seat to that frame, so the seat stays anchored for passengers and child restraints during normal use and crash loads.
The problem is in the fasteners, not the whole bus body. Freedman's vendor improperly manufactured the hex head cap screws, leaving a material flaw that reduces screw strength. In crash-protection testing, the seat studs fractured and let the seat separate from the base frame. That is why the seats do not meet the required school bus seating and child restraint protection standards.
The warning information is limited. Seat studs can fracture during normal use, but Freedman did not duplicate that failure through fatigue testing. If a seat shifts at the base or feels loose, keep passengers out of that seat until it is inspected.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 6 |
| 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?
In a crash, the seat can separate from the base frame, increasing injury risk for the seat occupant. Campaign 16V281 also notes seat stud fractures during normal use, but no reliable owner-visible warning sign is confirmed. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Turtle Top dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Turtle Top dealer to schedule the free seat replacement that fixes the bolt-failure separation risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V281 when you call.
- Limit passenger use until the seat replacement is complete, since a seat can separate from the base frame in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Turtle Top technician replaces the recalled seats on the affected 2016 Odyssey buses, addressing the bolt failure that lets a seat separate from its base frame. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Turtle Top has a general reimbursement plan on file, so if you already paid for a seat replacement tied to this defect before the recall repair, ask Turtle Top customer service how to submit documented expenses under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 10, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 16, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| May 16, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 18, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 22, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V281?
Recall 16V281 covers 6 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey transit buses with seats that can separate from the base frame because of bolt failure. Turtle Top dealers will replace the affected seats for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V281. If it is, contact a franchised Turtle Top dealer to schedule the seat replacement. Reference recall number 16V281 and Turtle Top recall number 16E-037 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Turtle Top will replace the affected seats free of charge through its dealer process. Turtle Top customer service is available at 1-574-831-4340.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury during a crash. The affected seats can separate from the base frame because of bolt failure, increasing injury risk for the seat occupant. If your VIN is included, schedule the free seat replacement with a franchised Turtle Top dealer.
When did the Turtle Top Odyssey seat recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on June 22, 2016. Because the remedy is available, owners with an included VIN should contact a franchised Turtle Top dealer and schedule the free seat replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V281000 |
|---|---|
| Turtle Top customer service | 1-574-831-4340 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V281 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V281000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →