The defect
CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL BETWEEN-THE-FRAME MOUNTED FUEL TANKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE BUSES WERE BUILT WITH THE WRONG CROSSMEMBER. THE CROSSMEMBER INSTALLED WAS NOT OF THE SAME STRENGTH THAT WAS USED IN THE CERTIFICATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM TO FMVSS NO. 301.
The risk
FAILURE OF THE CROSSMEMBER DURING A CRASH COULD REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE FUEL SYSTEM ALLOWING LEAKAGE THAT EXCEEDS REGULATION REQUIREMENTS. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CROSSMEMBER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. 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 AMTRAN AT 1-800-843-5615.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Amtran IC | 2002 |
Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtran IC | 2002 | 1 | 1 |
Other structure recalls in 2002
14 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the structure; IC CORPORATION filed 21 campaigns in all.
| 02V295000 14 Nov 2002 | WABASH NATIONAL CORP. |
| 02V292000 8 Nov 2002 | DIAMOND COACH CORPORATION |
| 02V273000 4 Oct 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V247000 13 Sept 2002 | AIRSTREAM, INC. |
| 02V237000 9 Sept 2002 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 02V200000 7 Aug 2002 | IC CORPORATION |
| 02V167000 25 Jun 2002 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V116000 17 Apr 2002 | SUPREME CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002