Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Component
- Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Manufacturer
- NEW ENGLAND WHEELS
- Vehicles affected
- 513
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2009-03-24
- Owners notified
- 2009-04-21
Defect description
NEW ENGLAND WHEELS, INC. IS RECALLING 513 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD E-SERIES COMMERCIAL VANS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Safety risk
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Manufacturer remedy
NEW ENGLAND WHEELS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR NEW ENGLAND WHEELS AT 1-800-886-9247.