Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Component
- Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Manufacturer
- TEXAS BUS SALES
- Vehicles affected
- 13
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2008-12-15
- Owners notified
- 2009-02-02
Defect description
TEXAS BUS IS RECALLING 13 MY 2005 TURTLE TOP TERRA TRANSPORT, MY 2006 ELDORADO AEROELITE 290, MY 2001 AEROLITE 210, MY 2000 AEROTECH 200, AND MY 2005 AEROTECH 270 BUSES BUILT ON ELDORADO NATIONAL - KANSAS CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Safety risk
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer remedy
TEXAS BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR TEXAS BUS AT 1-713-681-3600.