The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR PANELS USED IN PASSENGER DOORWAYS ON TRANSIT AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY BUSES SUPPLIED BY VAPOR CORPORATION. DUE TO AN IMPERFECT BONDING OF THE DOOR PANEL SKIN TO THE PANEL FRAME, ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE MAY INFILTRATE REGIONS OF IMPERFECT BONDING AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME AND DOOR PANEL.
The risk
THE DOOR SEPARATES AND FALLS OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy
VAPOR CORPORATION WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR BUSES INSPECTED AND WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL FASTENERS TO ATTACH THE SKINS TO THE FRAME ELEMENTS. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VAPOR CORPORATION AT 847-967-8300 OR NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-7349.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Novabus RTS | 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novabus RTS | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Novabus RTS | 1998 | 0 | 3 |
| Novabus RTS | 1999 | 0 | 3 |
| Novabus RTS | 2000 | 0 | 5 |
Other structure recalls in 2001
22 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the structure; NOVA BUS INCORPORATED filed 17 campaigns in all.
| 01V381000 12 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V378000 12 Dec 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V342000 6 Nov 2001 | OSHKOSH TRUCK CORPORATION |
| 01V281000 6 Sept 2001 | U.S. BUS CORPORATION |
| 01V282000 30 Aug 2001 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V273000 2 Aug 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V251000 1 Aug 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V242000 31 Jul 2001 | ELECTRIC TRANSIT, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001