School bus OEMs Collins Bus Corporation and Thomas Built Buses have initiated recalls on a few models concerning an issue with seat cushion locking mechanisms.

The recalls will deal with a problem with certain IMMI seats, in which the seat cushion locking mechanisms were misaligned during vehicle assembly. The misalignment causes the seat (in only 14 school bus models all together) to become non-compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 222, School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection. If any of the aforementioned buses were involved in a crash, the seat cushion could detach from the seat and cause greater injury.

All of the Collins 2010 Grand Bantam and Super Bantam school buses manufactured from Oct. 5, 2009 through Jan. 4, 2010, have already been repaired. Thomas dealer BusWest is currently notifying the owners and will make the repairs for free.