Equipment Adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 07V046000 · announced February 12, 2007 · filed by Eldorado National · 315 units affected

The problem

CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, 'PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE INNER BARRIER INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT BASEPLATE MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE BARRIER AND CAN ALLOW THE PLATFORM TO MOVE DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH BELOW FLOOR LEVEL WHEN OCCUPIED.

The risk

IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM IF THE USER IS BACKING ONTO THE LIFT FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAS THE SMALL FRONT WHEELS FULLY OR PARTIALLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. A PERSON STANDING COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE IF THEY WERE POSITIONED FULLY OR PARTLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

What to do

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THESE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 06E101). OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR ELDORADO NATIONAL AT 1-785-827-1033, EXT. 412.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Vehicles covered by this recall

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.