The defect
Turtle Top is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Limo Coach, 2010-2013 Odyssey and Van Terra, 2010-2011 Odyssey LT, 2011-2012 Odyssey XL MPV, 2011-2013 Odyssey XL, 2011 Odyssey MPV and 2010 and 2012 Van Terra MPV transit buses and speciality built on Ford chassis equipped with a Ford 5.4L or 6.8L engine and a Trans/Air-brand air compressor. In the affected vehicles, depending on the routing of the alternator harness, and the orientation of the heater hose spring clamp at the front of the intake manifold, the alternator harness may be pinched between the spring clamp and the air conditioner compressor mounting bracket.
The risk
The charging system may fail which could lead to the vehicle stalling while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the spring clamp could pierce both the positive and negative wires of the alternator harness creating a short circuit which could result in a fire.
The remedy
Turtle Top will notify owners, and Trans/Air dealers will inspect the vehicles, correct the clamp installation and repair and reroute the alternator harness, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2014. Customers may contact Turtle Top at 1-574-831-4340.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Turtle TOP Ford Limo Coach | 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Odyssey | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Van Terra | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle TOP Ford Limo Coach | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Limo Coach | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Limo Coach | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Odyssey | 2010 | 0 | 2 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Odyssey | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Odyssey | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Odyssey | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Van Terra | 2010 | 0 | 2 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Van Terra | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Van Terra | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Turtle TOP Ford Van Terra | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2014
83 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the electrical system; Turtle Top filed 16 campaigns in all.
| 14V827000 30 Dec 2014 | General Motors LLC |
| 14V813000 23 Dec 2014 | Elgin Sweeper Company Inc. |
| 14V795000 16 Dec 2014 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 14V749000 24 Nov 2014 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 14V722000 10 Nov 2014 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 14V714000 7 Nov 2014 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 14V699000 4 Nov 2014 | Keystone RV Company |
| 14V690000 3 Nov 2014 | Airstream, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2014