National Van Recall 07V070000: Equipment Adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 07V070000 · announced February 28, 2007 · filed by National Van Builders, Inc. · 13 units affected

The problem

CERTAIN VANS 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

NATIONAL VAN BUILDERS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THESE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 06E101). OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 800-322-2884 OR NATIONAL VAN AT 800-527-7477.

Official NHTSA recall notice →

Notes

NATIONAL VAN RECALL NO. 598508.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

• 2006 National Van Econoline
• 2007 National Van Econoline

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