Recall 17V694 affects 320 2007-2017 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel school buses for a rigid driver-seat barrier. Repair is free at any franchised Van-Con dealer.
Van-Con is recalling 320 2007-2017 Dual Rear Wheel school buses because the seat barrier behind the driver seat can be pinned to the bulkhead and fail to deform in a crash. If the barrier is too rigid to absorb impact, occupants face increased injury risk, and Van-Con dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The seat barrier behind the driver seat in a 2007-2017 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel school bus is the partition between the driver area and the passenger seating area. It is designed to deform in a controlled way during an impact, so crash forces move through the seating area as intended instead of into a hard, fixed barrier.
On affected buses built on the Chevrolet 3500 Express chassis, the barrier behind the driver seat was pinned to the bulkhead. That fastening keeps the barrier from moving the required distance in a crash test. Van-Con reported that the issue was found after testing showed the applied force did not travel as required, and the build was changed after the test results were observed.
There is no warning sign before failure. This is a construction and crash-performance issue, not a part that wears out or gives the driver a noise, light, or handling change before a crash.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2007-2017 Dual Rear Wheel model years, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2015 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2013 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2010 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2007 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2009 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2017 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2012 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2014 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2016 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2011 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| 2008 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 320 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Year and model alone do not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the barrier is too rigid, it does not absorb impact as designed. In a crash, occupants face a higher injury risk. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair soon, especially if the vehicle carries passengers. Repair is free at any franchised Van-Con dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2017 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel bus is included in this recall.
- Contact a Van-Con service dealer to schedule the free driver-seat-barrier repair.
- Ask the dealer to reposition the barrier behind the driver seat so it can deform and absorb impact as intended.
- Bring the recall notice if Van-Con mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V694 when you call.
- Limit passenger service until the barrier repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Van-Con technician checks the seat barrier behind the driver seat and repositions the barrier so it can deform as designed in a crash. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. The service work focuses on the barrier pinned to the bulkhead, not the Chevrolet chassis itself. Van-Con's owner notice has already been issued, so an included bus can be scheduled for the free repair.
Timeline
| November 2, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 14, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 14, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 19, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 29, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V694?
Recall 17V694 covers 320 2007-2017 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel school buses built on Chevrolet 3500 Express chassis. The seat barrier behind the driver seat can be pinned to the bulkhead, making it too rigid to absorb impact and increasing injury risk. Van-Con will reposition the barrier for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2017 Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 17V694. If it is, contact Van-Con customer service at 1-732-356-8484 to arrange the free seat-barrier repair. Reference recall 17V694 when you call.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Van-Con's remedy states that it will reposition the barrier as necessary for free. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher injury exposure in a crash. The seat barrier behind the driver seat is supposed to deform and absorb impact. If it is pinned to the bulkhead and stays too rigid, occupants face an increased risk of injury.
What if I bought this Van-Con Dual Rear Wheel used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific school bus is included, then contact Van-Con customer service and reference recall 17V694.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V694000 |
|---|---|
| Van-Con customer service | 1-732-356-8484 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V694 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V694000 |
Source documents
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 →