Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Component
- Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Manufacturer
- MID BUS CORPORATION
- Vehicles affected
- 28
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2007-03-08
- Owners notified
- 2007-03-15
Defect description
CERTAIN MY 2006 MID BUS GUIDE AND GUIDE XL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 6 AND OCTOBER 5, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH RICON 2000 AND 5500 SERIES WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THE LIFT'S INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEEL CHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE PLATFORM LIFT WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT 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 STANDEE COULD LOOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE IF THEY WERE POSITIONED FULLY OR PARTLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM IS LOWERED. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
MID BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND IS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE SCHOOL BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 818-267-3012 OR CONTACT MID BUS AT 877-358-6055.