The defect
CERTAIN MY 2004-2007 THOMAS BUILT MINOTOUR, FS65, MVP-EF, AND HDX MODEL SCHOOL BUSES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 16 AND JULY 1, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. CRACKS IN THE LIFT ARMS MAY ALLOW THE MECHANISM TO TWIST DURING STOWAGE, PREVENTING CLOSURE OF THE SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES.
The risk
IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE.
The remedy
RICON IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E008000) AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO VERTICAL ARMS EVEN IF ONLY ONE ARM IS CRACKED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MAY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPT. AT 800-322-2884 OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOMAS BUS CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFICE AT 336-889-4871.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses FS-65 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Thomas Built Buses HDX | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Thomas Built Buses Minotour | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Thomas Built Buses MVP-EF | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
Other equipment adaptive/mobility recalls in 2006
15 of the 490 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2006 concerned the equipment adaptive/mobility; FREIGHTLINER LLC filed 99 campaigns in all.
| 06V469000 1 Dec 2006 | STARCRAFT BUS AND MOBILITY |
| 06V191000 5 Jun 2006 | GLAVAL BUS DIVISION |
| 06V193000 1 Jun 2006 | COLLINS BUS CORPORATION |
| 06V194000 1 Jun 2006 | MID BUS CORPORATION |
| 06V175000 22 May 2006 | ELDORADO NATIONAL |
| 06V177000 22 May 2006 | ACCUBUILT, INC. |
| 06V151000 2 May 2006 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
| 06V138000 25 Apr 2006 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2006