Recall 16V616 affects 320 2011-2016 Eldorado Aero Elite vehicles because side marker lamps fail to stay lit. Repair is free at any franchised Eldorado dealer.
Eldorado is recalling 320 2011-2016 Aero Elite vehicles because the intermediate side marker lamps do not stay illuminated when the headlights are on. The lighting failure decreases the vehicle's visibility to other drivers and increases crash risk; an Eldorado dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The intermediate side lamp on a 2011-2016 Eldorado Aero Elite is the side marker light mounted along the bus body. Its normal job is to stay steadily lit when the headlights are on, so other drivers can see the length and side position of the vehicle in low light. On buses this long, that steady side lighting is part of the required exterior lighting system.
On affected Aero Elite buses, the installed lamp was a single element lamp wired to work as a turn signal. That setup does not keep the intermediate side lamp steadily illuminated with the headlights. The fix replaces the lamp with a surface mount dual filament lamp, which gives the lamp separate operation for side marker lighting and turn signal use.
An owner or driver can notice the problem during a lighting check. With the headlights switched on, the intermediate side lamp does not illuminate in a steady state. The turn signal function can still draw attention, so check the side marker lighting directly rather than relying only on the turn signal.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 Aero Elite model years, with the same exterior lighting component listed for each year.
| 2015 Eldorado Aero Elite | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2012 Eldorado Aero Elite | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Eldorado Aero Elite | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Eldorado Aero Elite | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Eldorado Aero Elite | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Eldorado Aero Elite | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 320 |
| 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?
Side marker lamps that go dark when the headlights are on make the Aero Elite harder for other drivers to see and increase the risk of a crash. If the intermediate side lamp fails to illuminate with the headlamps, schedule dealer inspection soon and use extra caution in low light. Repair will be free at any franchised Eldorado dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2016 Eldorado Aero Elite is included in this recall.
- Check for Eldorado's owner notice mailed on October 17, 2016 before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Eldorado dealer and reference recall number 16V616 when you ask about the free inspection.
- Schedule the intermediate side-lamp inspection and replacement that keeps the side marker lamps illuminated with the headlights on.
- Drive with extra space around the bus at night or in low visibility until the lighting repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The record describes a free dealer remedy: an Eldorado technician inspects the intermediate side lamps and replaces any lamp that does not stay illuminated with the headlights on. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once the remedy is available for your VIN. Eldorado also has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for a related side lamp repair before the recall notice, ask Eldorado customer service how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 24, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V616?
Recall 16V616 covers 320 2011-2016 Eldorado Aero Elite buses with intermediate side lamps that do not stay illuminated when the headlights are on. That fails FMVSS 108 and reduces visibility to other drivers. Eldorado dealers will inspect the lamps and replace affected lamps for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2016 Eldorado Aero Elite is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 16V616. If it is, contact an Eldorado dealer or Eldorado customer service to schedule the side-lamp inspection. Reference recall number 16V616 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Eldorado's remedy says dealers will inspect the intermediate side lamps and replace them free of charge when needed.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced visibility to other drivers when the headlights are on. If the side marker lamps do not stay illuminated, other drivers have less visual reference for the bus, increasing the risk of a crash.
When did the repair become available?
The recall repair began on October 17, 2016. Eldorado's remedy directs dealers to inspect the intermediate side lamps and replace affected lamps at no charge, so owners can contact an Eldorado dealer or customer service for scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V616000 |
|---|---|
| Eldorado customer service | (913) 392-2171 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V616 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V616000 |
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 →