Recall 02V292000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Defect in 1993-2001 DIAMOND COACH TC18FD

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." DUE TO CERTAIN SEATING ARRANGEMENTS, THE EMERGENCY EXIT RELEASE HANDLES DID NOT FALL IN THE ACCEPTABLE REGION SET FORTH BY THE STANDARD.

THE RELEASE MECHANISMS FOR THE REAR WINDOW MARKED AS AN "EMERGENCY EXIT" WERE PARTIALLY BLOCKED SO ACCESS TO THE MECHANISMS WOULD BE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED. THERE COULD BE CONFUSION IN LOCATING THE EMERGENCY EXIT RELEASE HANDLES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

THE REAR WINDOW EMERGENCY EXIT STICKERS WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED. OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DIAMOND COACH AT 1-800-241-8678, EXTENSION 13.