Recall 18V788 affects 27 2014-2018 Goshen buses across 4 models for foldaway seats that fail to lock. Free repair at any franchised Goshen dealer.
Goshen is recalling 27 2014-2018 Impulse, Aerolite, Aerotech, and World Trans vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats because the seat cushion can fail to stay locked when loaded after moving from stowed to upright. In a crash or sudden stop, a moving seat back raises injury risk; Goshen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat in 2014-2018 Goshen Impulse, Aerolite, Aerotech, and World Trans vehicles is designed to fold out of the way, then lock in the upright seating position for passengers. The locking mechanism holds the back cushion in its use position so the seat can support an occupant during normal driving, a sudden stop, or a crash.
In the recalled seats, the back frame weldment is too narrow. That narrow frame can deform the seat back cushion dump mechanism, which is the latch system that releases and locks the folding cushion. Once deformed, the mechanism can fail to stay locked when the seat is loaded, letting the cushion move when it needs to hold firm.
When you rotate the back cushion from stowed to upright, listen for an audible click. The mechanism handle should rotate downward as it locks. If that click is missing or the handle does not move down, treat the seat as not locked.
Who's affected?
Covers four bus models across the 2014-2018 model years, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2015 Goshen Impulse | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2018 Eldorado Aerolite | seat assembly |
| 2017 Eldorado Aerolite | seat assembly |
| 2015 Eldorado Aerotech | seat assembly |
| 2014 Eldorado Aerotech | seat assembly |
| 2018 Goshen Impulse | seat assembly |
| 2015 Eldorado World Trans | seat assembly |
| 2016 Goshen Impulse | seat assembly |
| 2016 Eldorado World Trans | seat assembly |
| 2017 Eldorado World Trans | seat assembly |
| 2018 Eldorado World Trans | seat assembly |
| 2016 Eldorado Aerolite | seat assembly |
| 2014 Eldorado World Trans | seat assembly |
| 2014 Goshen Impulse | seat assembly |
| 2017 Goshen Impulse | seat assembly |
| 2017 Eldorado Aerotech | seat assembly |
| 2018 Eldorado Aerotech | seat assembly |
| 2014 Eldorado Aerolite | seat assembly |
| 2015 Eldorado Aerolite | seat assembly |
| 2016 Eldorado Aerotech | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 27 |
| 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?
If the foldaway seat back is not locked upright, it can move during a crash and increase the occupant's risk of injury. Listen for the click and confirm the handle rotates down when the cushion is raised into the design use position. Schedule the seat repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Goshen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2018 Goshen Impulse, Aerolite, Aerotech, or World Trans is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Goshen dealer to schedule the free foldaway-seat repair that keeps the seat cushion locked upright under load.
- Bring the recall notice if Goshen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V788 when you call.
- Avoid carrying passengers in the recalled foldaway seat until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Goshen technician repairs the Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats so the back seat cushion locks in the upright position as intended. The repair is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. Freedman Seating Company states that it reimburses recall related repair costs, including parts and labor. If you already paid for a seat repair tied to this defect, keep your invoice and repair paperwork and ask the service desk or Goshen customer service how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 4, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 4, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 4, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 4, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V788?
Recall 18V788 covers 27 2014-2018 Goshen Impulse, Aerolite, Aerotech, and World Trans vehicles with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat cushion can fail to stay locked under load during a crash or sudden stop. Freedman Seating Company will repair the seats for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2018 Goshen Impulse, Aerolite, Aerotech, or World Trans is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V788. If it is, contact Goshen customer service at 1-800-955-4236 and ask how to arrange the Freedman foldaway seat repair. Reference recall 18V788 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the safety defect at no cost. For recall 18V788, Freedman Seating Company will repair the affected foldaway seats free of charge through the recall process.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is occupant injury during a crash or sudden stop. If the foldaway seat back moves instead of staying locked, the person sitting there has an increased risk of injury. The free repair addresses the seat locking problem.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall began on December 20, 2018, so the repair process is already open. Check your VIN first, then contact Goshen customer service at 1-800-955-4236 for instructions on arranging the Freedman foldaway seat repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V788000 |
|---|---|
| Goshen customer service | 1-800-955-4236 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V788 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V788000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →