Recall 16V497 affects 803 2012-2016 Ameritrans shuttle buses with incorrect tire-loading placards. Repair is free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer.
Ameritrans is recalling 803 2012-2016 shuttle buses, including E350 and E450 models, because the Tire and Loading Placard is wrong for vehicles over 10,000 pounds. The incorrect label can lead an operator to overload the bus, which increases crash risk, and Ameritrans dealers will complete the free repair.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The Tire and Loading Placard on a 2012-2016 Ameritrans E350, 5500, E450, F550, or M2 Series bus is the label that tells an owner or service shop which tire and loading information applies to that vehicle. It is supposed to match the bus as built, so tire selection and load guidance do not conflict with the vehicle's weight rating.
On affected Ameritrans buses, the placard installed was for vehicles under a different weight category. These buses weigh more than 10,000 pounds, and the label does not apply to that class of vehicle. Ameritrans traced the problem to an oversight in reading the tire and rim labeling rule, so this is a labeling noncompliance rather than a broken mechanical part.
There is no warning sign from the vehicle before an owner finds the incorrect label. The driver would not hear, feel, or see a dashboard alert tied to this placard issue.
Who's affected?
Covers E350, 5500, E450, F550, and M2 Series buses across the 2012-2016 model years, all involving the vehicle label placard or certification label.
| 2014 Ameritrans E350 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ameritrans 5500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2013 Ameritrans 5500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2016 Ameritrans E350 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2015 Ameritrans E350 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2013 Ameritrans E350 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2012 Ameritrans E350 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2016 Ameritrans E450 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2014 Ameritrans E450 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2013 Ameritrans E450 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2012 Ameritrans E450 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2015 Ameritrans F550 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2016 Ameritrans M2 Series | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2013 Ameritrans M2 Series | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2012 Ameritrans M2 Series | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2015 Ameritrans 5500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2015 Ameritrans M2 Series | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2014 Ameritrans 5500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2012 Ameritrans 5500 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2015 Ameritrans E450 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2014 Ameritrans F550 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2013 Ameritrans F550 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2014 Ameritrans M2 Series | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| 2012 Ameritrans F550 | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 803 |
| 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 your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect Tire and Loading Placard can confuse the operator about vehicle loading. Overloading increases the risk of a crash, and there is no driver warning before that risk develops. Schedule the placard removal soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2016 Ameritrans E350, 5500, E450, F550, or M2 Series shuttle bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ameritrans dealer to schedule the free removal of the Tire and Loading Placards that give the wrong tire and loading guidance for buses over 10,000 pounds.
- Bring the recall notice if Ameritrans mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V497 when you call.
- Avoid relying on the old Tire and Loading Placards for passenger or cargo loading until the dealer removes them.
- Call Ameritrans customer service at 1-574-218-4786 with questions about the free label removal.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ameritrans technician removes the Tire and Loading Placards that do not apply to shuttle buses over 10,000 pounds. The placards list tire and loading information, so the repair is to remove the incorrect labels rather than replace a mechanical part. Parts and labor are covered by the recall, and there is no charge for the dealer visit tied to campaign 16V497. Ameritrans began the recall on September 2, 2016.
Timeline
| July 1, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 1, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 19, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 19, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 2, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V497?
Recall 16V497 covers 803 2012-2016 Ameritrans E350, 5500, E450, F550, and M2 Series shuttle buses with Tire and Loading Placards that do not apply to vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Ameritrans dealers remove the incorrect placards for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2016 Ameritrans E350, 5500, E450, F550, or M2 Series is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific shuttle bus is included in recall 16V497. If it is, contact an Ameritrans dealer or Ameritrans Customer Service Department at 1-574-218-4786 to arrange removal of the incorrect Tire and Loading Placards. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. Ameritrans dealers remove the incorrect Tire and Loading Placards free of charge, and the remedy has been available since the recall began on September 2, 2016.
What is the safety risk?
The wrong Tire and Loading Placard can confuse the operator about the vehicle's proper loading limits. If the bus is overloaded, crash risk increases. Confirm the VIN, arrange the free placard removal, and use the correct weight-rating information for the vehicle.
What if I bought my Ameritrans shuttle bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your bus is included, then reference recall 16V497 when you call an Ameritrans dealer or Ameritrans Customer Service Department.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V497000 |
|---|---|
| Ameritrans customer service | 1-574-218-4786 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V497 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V497000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (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 →