VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICES (FUSES OR CIRCUIT BREAKERS) ALLOWING THE HEADLAMPS, DURING HIGH BEAM OPERATION, TO IMPOSE TOO MUCH LOAD CAUSING THE PROTECTION DEVICE TO OPEN THE CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF THE HEAD LIGHTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.
THE AIR/SPRING ACTUATED PARKING BRAKE CHAMBERS MANUFACTURED BY MIDLAND (DATE CODE 145B6K) WERE FILLED WITH THE WRONG LUBRICATION. THE IMPROPER LUBRICANT CAUSES THE SEALS WITHIN THE CHAMBER TO FAIL AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF AIR. IF AIR PRESSURE DROPS TO 55 PSI THE SPRING WITHIN THE CHAMBER WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AIR PRESSURE DROPS BELOW 55 PSI AND THE OPERATOR DOES NOT HEED THE LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING AND CONTINUES TO DRIVE, THE PARKING BRAKE WILL APPLY. THIS CAN CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE LINING TO OVERHEAT AND PREMATURELY WEAR. WHEN THE BUS IS PARKED AND THE BRAKE APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: DEALERS (OR OWNERS) WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBERS FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODE. IF THE CHAMBER HAS THIS CODE, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED.
THE REAR WINDOW BUZZER DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE BUZZER SWITCH DOES NOT ACTIVATE AND/OR THE WINDOW IS NOT CLOSED WHEN THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ALERTED THAT THE REAR WINDOW IS UNLATCHED UNTIL THE WINDOW IS PHYSICALLY OPENED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WINDOW BUZZER SWITCH.
PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT. REPLACE FOAM PAD AND INSTALL 1" THICK RUBBER SPACER BETWEEN THE BRACE AND THE WALL.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Amtran RS3708 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year