NHTSA Complaint #11074293 — 2016 FORD E-450

NHTSA RECALL 17V550: METRO WORLDWIDE BUS VEHICLE EXCEEDS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) WHEN FULLY LOADED. THE MANUFACTURER'S PROPOSED REMEDY IS TO REMOVE SEATS UNTIL THE GVWR IS IN COMPLIANCE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED $1,500 PER SEAT REMOVED AS COMPENSATION. BUT REMOVING SEATS DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BUS FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. IF WE KNEW THAT THE MANUFACTURER COULDN'T FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR PROMISE TO PROVIDE VEHICLES MEETING REQUIRED SPECIFICATION, METRO WORLDWIDE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED. WE BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NEGLIGENT AND IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW FOR IMPROPERLY BUILDING THE BUSES. THE DEALER, HOGLUND BUS, WAS ALSO NEGLIGENT FOR SELLING THE BUSES TO US THAT DID NOT COMPLY WITH NHTSA SAFETY STANDARDS. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER SHOULD BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPLACING THE BUSES AT NO CHARGE. WE BELIEVE FULL BUS REPLACEMENT IS FAIR BECAUSE IF WE WANTED 16, 18 OR 20 PASSENGER BUSES, WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM CHEAPER FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS THAN THE 22 PASSENGER BUSES METRO WORLDWIDE PROMISED.