Recall 17V685 covers 272 2017 Eldorado buses with Recaro driver-seat buckles stuck locked. Repair is free at any franchised Eldorado dealer.
Eldorado is recalling 272 2017 Axess, Arrivo, Xhf, and E-Z Rider Ii buses because certain Recaro driver seat belt buckles can stick in the locked position, leaving the belt tongue unable to latch. If the belt cannot be used, the driver faces higher injury risk in a crash, and Eldorado dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driver seat belt buckle in 2017 Eldorado Axess, Arrivo, Xhf, and E-Z Rider Ii buses is the latch point for the driver's belt. The belt tongue slides into the buckle, the buckle locks it in place, and the belt holds the driver against the seat during a sudden stop.
On these buses, the buckle can lock itself before the belt tongue is inserted. When the tongue travels too far inside the buckle, the latch ejector can get trapped under a small internal switch adapter. That leaves the buckle acting as if it is already locked, so the tongue cannot be inserted and secured.
The warning sign is direct: the driver cannot latch the seat belt. If the tongue is blocked or will not lock into the buckle, the operator cannot physically secure the belt before driving.
Who's affected?
Covers four 2017 Eldorado bus models with matching seat belt scope split between the front buckle assembly and the broader seat belt component.
| 2017 Eldorado Axess | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2017 Eldorado Axess | seat belt |
| 2017 Eldorado Arrivo | seat belt |
| 2017 Eldorado Arrivo | seat belt |
| 2017 Eldorado Xhf | seat belt |
| 2017 Eldorado Xhf | seat belt |
| 2017 Eldorado E-Z Rider Ii | seat belt |
| 2017 Eldorado E-Z Rider Ii | seat belt |
| Units affected | 272 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching 2017 Eldorado bus model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A stuck seat belt latch plate can leave the operator unable to secure the belt. If the bus is operated that way, the operator faces higher injury risk in a crash. Treat a blocked tongue or locked belt as a reason to keep the bus out of service and schedule the recall repair. Repair is free at any franchised Eldorado dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Eldorado Axess, Arrivo, Xhf, or E-Z Rider Ii is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Eldorado dealer to schedule the free seat-belt-buckle-housing replacement that fixes driver seat belt buckles stuck in the locked position.
- Bring the recall notice if Eldorado mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V685 when you call.
- Keep the bus out of service for any route where the driver seat belt cannot latch until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Eldorado technician replaces the seat belt buckle housings on the affected driver seats. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Eldorado has a general reimbursement plan on file for related repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for a seat belt buckle repair tied to this issue, bring your repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Eldorado customer service for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 27, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 27, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 27, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 1, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 22, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V685?
Recall 17V685 covers 272 2017 Eldorado Axess, Arrivo, Xhf, and E-Z Rider Ii buses with certain Recaro driver seats. The seat belt buckle can stick in the locked position, preventing the belt tongue from inserting and locking. Eldorado dealers will replace the buckle housings for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Eldorado Axess, Arrivo, Xhf, or E-Z Rider Ii is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 17V685. If it is, contact a franchised Eldorado dealer to schedule replacement of the seat belt buckle housings. Reference recall number 17V685 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Eldorado dealers will replace the affected seat belt buckle housings free of charge. Owners can also contact Eldorado customer service at 1-909-591-9557.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V685?
The safety risk is that the driver's seat belt buckle can stay locked before the belt tongue is inserted. If that happens, the bus can be operated without the driver seat belt being used, increasing injury risk in a crash.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a driver seat belt buckle that stays locked and will not accept the belt tongue. If the tongue cannot insert and latch, contact an Eldorado dealer before returning the bus to normal service so the buckle housing can be replaced.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V685000 |
|---|---|
| Eldorado customer service | 1-909-591-9557 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V685 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V685000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →