CE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. THE ROOF TOP SHEET MAY BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED, REDUCING THE MATERIAL EDGE DISTANCE AT THE RIVET LINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE JOINT STRENGHT COULD FAIL POSSIBILY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL PROVIDE INSPECTION AND REPAIR INSTRUCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. 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 IC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT (WE DO NOT YET HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES WERE BUILT WITH A POOR QUALITY HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER SWITCH. IN SOME CASES THIS HAS CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE HEATER HARNESS CONNECTOR AT THE SWITCH TERMINALS OR THE HIGH-SPEED WIRE INSULATION AT THE CONNECTOR. ALSO, SOME OF THE UNITS HAD IMPROPER CIRCUIT PROTECTION SIZE INSTALLED IN THE HEATER DEFROSTER CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN OPERATOR DETECTS SMOKE OR THE SMELL OF MELTING WIRE INSULATION FROM THE BLOWER CONTROL PANEL, THE OPERATION OF THE HEATER/DEFROSTER AT HIGH SPEED SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED UNTIL THE REPAIR IS MADE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND SWITCH HARNESS WITH A NEW SWITCH, SWITCH HARNESS, RELAY AND RELAY HARNESS. FOR THE RE UNITS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1999, THE KIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A 20-AMPERE MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 800-843-5615.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 39-INCH FLIP SEATS. THE FLIP SEATS COULD BIND IN THE OCCUPIED POSITION AND NOT RETURN TO THE STORED POSITION WHEN NOT OCCUPIED. THE CUSHION FRAME SUPPORT BAR SLIDES OFF THE SEAT SUPPORT PAD, WHICH COULD RETAIN THE SEAT IN THE OCCUPIED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SEAT COULD BLOCK THE AISLE TO THE EMERGENCY EXIT DURING AN EMERGENCY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 800-843-5615.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES WITH OR WITHOUT SEAT BELTS EQUIPPED WITH BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL FUEL TANK OPTION AND 39 AND 45 INCH ANCHOR PASSENGER SEATS (SEAT BELT READY SEATS). THESE BUSES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE UNDER FLOOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON THE INBOARD SEAT MOUNTINGS ABOUT THE TANK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON INSPECTION, REPAIRING AND REINFORCEMENT PLATES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 11, 2000. 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE03023 · Steering Shaft Bolt Binds On Cover
Opened Jun 4, 2003 · Closed Aug 20, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SCHOOL BUS FLEET ALLEGING THAT A BUS DRIVER COULD NOT STEER WHILE ATTEMPING TO MAKE A TURN.A SECOND FLEET CONTACTED ODI AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ODI EXAMINED THE BUSES AND FOUND THE STEERING BOOT GETS TWISTED AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT, CREATING HIGHSTEERING WHEELEFFORTS WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. AS A RESULT OF THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, INTERNATIONAL HAS AGREED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN AND CORRECT THIS CONDITION ON 24,134 BUSES BUILT FROM 10/29/93 THROUGH 5/21/03.THE ACTION TAKEN BY INTERNATIONAL IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. CAMPAIGN NUMBER ASSIGNED IS 03V-264. A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL IS ATTACHED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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