Trailer hitches
- Component
- Trailer hitches
- Manufacturer
- NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES
- Vehicles affected
- 217
- Reported to NHTSA
- 1999-08-12
- Owners notified
- 1999-05-15
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ARTICULATED BUS. THESE BUSES MAY BECOME UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH SHOULD THE HYDRAULIC DAMPENING SYSTEM IN THE ARTICULATED JOINT LOOSE PRESSURE.
Safety risk
THE REAR BUS COULD START TO SWING FROM SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THESE BUSES. THE MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL INTERLOCK SYSTEM THAT WILL GRADUALLY BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP UTILIZING THE THIRD AXLE BRAKES.