Recall 19V150 affects 36 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 and ECE4 buses for a foldaway-seat locking defect. Repair is free at any franchised Elkhart dealer.
Elkhart is recalling 36 2016-2019 ECE3 and ECE4 buses under recall 19V150 because the Freedman GO-ES Foldaway back seat cushion can fail to stay locked upright under crash or sudden stop loads. If the seat back moves in a crash, the occupant has an increased risk of injury, and Elkhart dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Freedman GO-ES Foldaway seat in affected 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 and ECE4 buses is built to fold out of the way and then lock upright for use. The back cushion rotates from its stowed position into the seating position, and the locking mechanism holds the cushion in place while the occupant and seat belt load push against it.
The defect starts in the seat structure. If the back frame weldment is too narrow, assembly to the seat base weldment deforms the dump mechanism, which is the linkage that lets the back cushion release and rotate. Once that mechanism is deformed, the back cushion fails to stay locked under load, including during a crash or sudden stop.
Before using the seat, listen for an audible click when the back cushion reaches the upright position. The mechanism handle should rotate downward as it locks; without that click and handle movement, the cushion is not confirmed locked.
Who's affected?
Spans ECE3 and ECE4 buses across the 2016-2019 model years, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2018 Elkhart ECE3 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2018 Elkhart ECE4 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Elkhart ECE4 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Elkhart ECE3 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Elkhart ECE4 | seat assembly |
| 2019 Elkhart ECE3 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Elkhart ECE3 | seat assembly |
| 2019 Elkhart ECE4 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 36 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm 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 raise the occupant's injury risk. Listen for an audible click and confirm the handle rotates downward when the seat back is upright. If it does not lock, avoid using that seat until it is repaired. Repair is free at any franchised Elkhart dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 or ECE4 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Elkhart dealer to schedule the free Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat repair that keeps the seat cushion locked under load.
- Bring the recall notice, or reference recall number 19V150 when you call.
- Avoid using the affected foldaway seat until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Elkhart technician repairs the Freedman GO-ES foldaway seat so the back seat cushion locks in place when moved from stowed to upright. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid for a repair tied to this foldaway seat problem, Freedman reimburses the related repair cost, including parts and labor, at no cost to the vehicle owner. Ask the service desk or Freedman customer service what documentation they need for the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 1, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 8, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 10, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| April 10, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 10, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V150?
Recall 19V150 covers 36 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 and ECE4 buses equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. The foldaway seat cushion can fail to stay locked under crash or sudden-stop loads, increasing injury risk for the seat occupant.
What should I do if my 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 or ECE4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V150. If it is, contact Elkhart customer service or a franchised Elkhart service location to arrange the Freedman foldaway seat repair. Reference recall number 19V150 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy states that Freedman will repair the foldaway seat free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 and ECE4 buses.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is occupant injury during a crash. If the foldaway seat back moves under load, the person in that seat has an increased risk of injury. The free repair corrects the seat so it stays locked as required.
What if I bought the Elkhart bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016-2019 Elkhart ECE3 or ECE4 is included, then arrange the free seat repair through Elkhart service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V150000 |
|---|---|
| Elkhart customer service | 1-(574) 327-2700 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V150 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V150000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →