Recall 16V353 affects 25 2012-2016 Rosenbauer Commander vehicles for air-suspension seats that can detach in a crash. Repair is free at any franchised Rosenbauer dealer.
Rosenbauer is recalling 25 2012-2016 Commander vehicles because Battalion air suspension seats can separate from their bases in a frontal crash. If a seat detaches, the occupant faces an increased risk of injury; Rosenbauer dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The seat in a 2012-2016 Rosenbauer Commander is more than a cushion. These fire trucks use Battalion air suspension seats, which support the occupant and absorb cab movement while the truck is driven. In a crash, the seat base and its attachments are supposed to keep the seat tied to the cab structure.
On affected Commander trucks, the problem centers on the seat tethers. A tether is a strap or cable that anchors the seat to the cab so the seat does not move beyond its intended range. Without the required tether attachment from the seat to the cab, the air suspension seat can separate from its base in a frontal collision.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing does not list a warning light, noise, loose feel, or other symptom for the driver or crew to notice before a crash event.
Who's affected?
Each listed model year points to the same seat assembly component.
| 2012 Rosenbauer Commander | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2016 Rosenbauer Commander | seat assembly |
| 2014 Rosenbauer Commander | seat assembly |
| 2015 Rosenbauer Commander | seat assembly |
| 2013 Rosenbauer Commander | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 25 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific truck.
What's the safety risk?
If the seat detaches from its base during a crash, the occupant faces a higher risk of injury. This recall is about crash protection, so schedule the tether repair soon and ask the dealer how to handle service. Repair is free at any franchised Rosenbauer dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2016 Rosenbauer Commander is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Rosenbauer dealer to schedule the free seat-to-cab tether repair that helps keep the Battalion air suspension seat attached to the cab in a frontal collision.
- Bring the recall notice if you received one. If not, reference recall number 16V353 when you call.
- Call Rosenbauer customer service at 1-651-462-1000 with questions about scheduling or service instructions.
- Avoid putting the vehicle back in service with an unrepaired Battalion air suspension seat until the tether repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Rosenbauer technician attaches two tethers from the Battalion air suspension seat to the cab so the seat is secured to the vehicle structure. The recall repair is available now, and the tether installation is free of charge. Parts and labor are covered by Rosenbauer. Ask the service desk to confirm that the seat tether repair is being completed under recall 16V353 before the vehicle is returned to service.
Timeline
| May 25, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 31, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| June 15, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 15, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 11, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V353?
Recall 16V353 covers 25 2012-2016 Rosenbauer Commander vehicles with Battalion air suspension seats that can separate from the seat base in a frontal crash. Rosenbauer dealers will attach two tethers from the seat to the cab for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2016 Rosenbauer Commander is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Commander is included in recall 16V353. If it is, contact a Rosenbauer dealer to schedule the seat tether repair. Reference recall number 16V353 when you call, or contact Rosenbauer customer service at 1-651-462-1000.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Rosenbauer's remedy says dealers will attach two tethers from the seat to the cab free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is occupant injury in a crash. If the Battalion air suspension seat detaches from its base during a frontal collision, the seat occupant has less protection from the seating system. The dealer repair adds tethers between the seat and cab.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V353000 |
|---|---|
| Rosenbauer customer service | 1-651-462-1000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V353 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V353000 |
Source documents
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 →