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Turtle Top Wheelchair Lifts Recalled
Turtle Top is recalling certain 2013-2018 Turtle Top Odyssey, VanTerra, and Terra Transit transit buses, equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle floor height. If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
Coach and Equipment Recall Due to Fall Risk
Coach and Equipment Mfg Corp. (Coach and Equipment) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Coach and Equipment Condor LT, 2013-2017 Phoenix and Metro Lite and 2015 Pegasus transit buses, equipped with Ricon S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle floor height. If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.
Motor Coach Recall Due to Fire Risk
About 1,000 transit buses are being recalled by Motor Coach Industries, Inc. (MCI), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday, November 19, 2009. The vehicles involved are equipped with a Caterpillar C13 engine and 50DN alternator. The alternator’s cable could come loose from a clamp, which may cause chafing to the cable, possibly damaging the cable wires. This could cause a fire. The recall includes 2005-2008 D4000 models, 2005-2009 D4500 models, and 2005-2009 D4505 models. MCI will alert owners and replace the alternator cable’s clamp for free.
Champion Bus Recall Due to Possible Steering Problem
Champion Bus is recalling 14 MY 2007-2008 M1235 and RE CTS buses built on Freightliner chassis. The fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under-tightened. Incorrectly tightened steering arm fasteners may fatigue and fracture which could cause a crash without warning. Champion Bus is working with Freightliner to repair these vehicles.
Eldorado Models May Pose Fall risk
Eldorado is recalling 210 MY 2006-2007 Aero Elite, Aerotech, Aerolite, and Transtech buses equipped with Braun platform lifts for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 404, “Platform Lift Installations in Motor Vehicles.” The threshold warning systems of the wheelchair lifts do not conform to the threshold warning signal. Should the threshold warning system fail to operate, the lift user can fall from the vehicle and be seriously injured. Braun will correct the wheelchair lift.
Possible Separation of Tag Axle From the Coach
MCI is recalling 542 MY 2000-2004 G4100 and G4500 coaches. Certain reworked tag axle arm assemblies had been identified with new cracks forming. Some of the tag axle arm assemblies that had previously been repaired during recall 03V411 or 06V458 may have been repaired with unidentified micro-fractures and/or insufficient weld penetration. If the tag axle swing arm cracks and remains undetected, the cracks can spread and potentially result in a partial or total separation of the tag axle assembly from the coach, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will re-inspect and if cracks are identified or incorrect welds in the previously repaired areas, both right and left tag arm assemblies will be replaced. If no problems are identified, dealers will reinstall the existing tag axle arm assemblies with new hardware.
Possible Loss of Steering Control
Millennium Transit is recalling 23 MY 2006 R80THN transit buses. The steering miter box bracket is mounted on a structural beam below the driver and holds the miter gear which connects the steering column to the steering shaft and steering gear. Should there be a failure of the welds holding this bracket together, the result would be a loss of steering or control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will ship replacement part brackets along with installation instructions. The recall is expected to begin during April 2008.
Diesel Transit Bus Recall Due to Fire Hazard
New Flyer is recalling 431 MY 1996-2001 D60HF diesel transit buses equipped with a rooftop air conditioning evaporator. The evaporator drain lines make contact with components (ballast assemblies) within the interior lighting panel below the drain line port. This can result in either damage to the drain line, which introduces moisture into the lighting panel, or restriction of the line which results in a back-up and overflow of moisture through the fresh air return vent and back into the lighting panel. Moisture in sufficient quantities within the lighting panel may result in a shorting of the electrical components and a vehicle fire. New Flyer will incorporate an elbow fitting into the drain line where it enters the lighting panel from the roof which will promote clearance between the line and the ballast assembly. The recall is expected to begin during March 2008.
Brake Defect and Possible Roll Away
Champion Bus is recalling 20 MY 2007-2008 M1235 buses built on Freightliner chassis and equipped with Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valves. The internal rubber check valve may leak causing a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button. This could cause a delay or failure in applying the parking brakes which could result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. Champion Bus is working with Freightliner and Bendix to repair these vehicles (please see 07V302 and 07E037). Bendix will provide a check valve repair kit for the affected SR-7 spring brake modulating valve free of charge.
MCI Coach Recall Due to Possible Stall
MCI is recalling 24 MY 2008 D4500, D4505, and D4000ISTV coaches equipped with TRW steering gears, Model TAS85. These steering gears contain potentially defective sector shafts with an incorrect gear tooth which may interfere with the rack-piston teeth, resulting in a sticking or binding condition. This condition has the potential to cause the steering gear to stall and restrict the steering turning angle of the vehicle which could result in a vehicle crash. MCI is working with TRW to replace the defective steering gear (please see 07E101). The recall is expected to begin during March 2008. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA08-002, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation.
Transit Bus Recall Due to Possible Steering Gear Defect
Champion Bus is recalling 14 MY 2008 3035RE transit buses built on Freightliner chassis and equipped with ZF model 8018 steering gears. These gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. This could potentially allow the recirculation balls to escape from the recirculation ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering. The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. Loss of steering could result in a bus crash.
School Bus Recall Due to Explosion Risk
Blue Bird is recalling 607 MY 2004-2007 All American rear engine school buses and MY 2006-2007 Xcel 102 commercial series transit buses equipped with Cummins ISC engines. The high pressure fuel line may crack, allowing high pressure diesel fuel into the engine compartment. This condition creates the potential for a risk of fire in the engine compartment should the atomized diesel fuel vapor contact an ignition source. Owners will be advised to contact their Cummins dealers to have the repair work performed as soon as possible. The recall is expected to begin on or about March 18, 2008.
Engine May Shut Down or Start on Fire
International is recalling 34,993 MY 2007-2008 CECB, CESB, FECB, FESB, HC, RECD, RESB, 1300, 3200, 4300, 7300, 7500, CXT, MY 2007 3300, 8500, RXT, MY 2006-2007 4400, MY 2006-2007 4400, and MY 2006-2008 7400 school buses, transit buses and heavy duty truck/tractors manufactured between June 1, 2006 and June 28, 2007, equipped with International DT466 or DT570 engines. The base plate of the engine oil cooler may crack allowing pressurized oil to leak into the engine compartment. This condition may cause either engine shut down without warning, or in extreme cases, possible engine fire which can lead to property damage, personal injury, or death. International will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge.
Possible Loss of Control
NABI is recalling 92 MY 2006 60BRT articulated 60′ transit buses. The main castings may prematurely fail. If the casting fractures, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the main castings.
Possible Failure of Air Brake System
Gillig is recalling 249 MY 2006-2007 Phantom and Low Floor transit buses equipped with Graham-White air dryers. The air dryer timer modules may allow sufficient quantities of moisture to enter and affect the operation of the vehicle air brake system. Failure of the air brake system due to moisture could result in a crash. Gillig, in conjunction with Graham-White, will replace the air dryer timer module on the affected vehicles.
School Bus Recall Due to Possible Passenger Injury
Girardin is recalling 33 MY 2003, 2005, and 2006 MB II and MB IV school and commercial buses on Ford and GM chassis with 6.6L engines equipped with Braun Lift Models NL916, NL917, and NL919. The threshold warning system may not activate as designed which fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 404, “Platform Lift Installations for Motor Vehicles.” Should the threshold warning system fail to operate, the lift user can fall from the vehicle and be seriously injured. Owners will be notified by Girardin instructing them to contact Braun for a free repair.