The defect
Elkhart Coach is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 ECI, and ECII transit buses built on Ford cutaway chassis equipped with Ford 5.4L or 6.8L engines and Trans/Air-brand air compressors. 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
As a result, 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
Elkhart Coach will notify owners, and 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 March 14, 2014. Customers may contact Elkhart at 1-866-478-7652.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Elkhart ECI | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Elkhart Ecii | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart ECI | 2010 | 0 | 3 |
| Elkhart ECI | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Elkhart ECI | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| Elkhart ECI | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| Elkhart Ecii | 2010 | 0 | 5 |
| Elkhart Ecii | 2011 | 0 | 2 |
| Elkhart Ecii | 2012 | 0 | 3 |
| Elkhart Ecii | 2013 | 0 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2014
83 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the electrical system; Elkhart Coach filed 3 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