The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS L-10 ENGINES AND NELSON CATALYSTS AND SOLD TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE CATALYST CAN EXPERIENCE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WHICH COULD BE CAUSED FROM UNBURNED METHANE IGNITING INSIDE THE CATALYST BRICK.
The risk
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYST AND COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYST.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND POSITIONING; INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE FIBERGLASS HOLE SURROUNDING THE TAIL PIPE, REMOVE A RUBBER AIR INLET BOOT THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYST; REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND ADD A BLANKET AROUND THE CATALYST TO PROVIDE ADDED INSULATION.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Neoplan AN440 | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neoplan AN440 | 1995 | 3 | 4 |
| Neoplan AN440 | 1996 | 1 | 1 |
| Neoplan AN440 | 1997 | 1 | 3 |
Other fuel system, other recalls in 1998
9 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the fuel system, other; NEOPLAN USA CORP. filed 29 campaigns in all.
| 98V310000 7 Dec 1998 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
| 98V213000 4 Sept 1998 | DAMON CORPORATION |
| 98V110000 21 May 1998 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 98V010004 4 Feb 1998 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
| 98V010003 4 Feb 1998 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 98V015000 26 Jan 1998 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 98V010002 13 Jan 1998 | SKYLINE CORPORATION |
| 98V010001 13 Jan 1998 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998