Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Component
- Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Manufacturer
- GOSHEN COACH
- Vehicles affected
- 80
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2007-02-22
- Owners notified
- 2007-02-28
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer remedy
GOSHEN IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THESE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 06E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 800-322-2884 OR GOSHEN AT 1-800-331-5761.