Recalls Of The Day, December 18, 2012

Four recalls have been issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Two are for the potential of overheated engines in school buses.  Another is for a faulty electrical cable on a wheel chair lift that may cause a fire.  Yet another is for faulty brake system hoses.

All of these issues could result in injury or worse.
  

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): THOMAS BUILT / SAF-T-LINER C2 2011-2013 Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America Report Receipt Date: DEC 11, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V572000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Potential Number of Units Affected: 42

Summary: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built non-school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail.

Consequence: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners of the recall. Repairs will be performed by Cummins authorized service facilities. A new fan drive pulley will be installed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during December 2012. Owners may contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or DTNA at 1-800-547-0712.

Notes: DTNA's recall campaign number is FL-635. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): THOMAS BUILT / SAF-T-LINER C2 2011-2013 Manufacturer: Daimler Trucks North America Report Receipt Date: DEC 11, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V570000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,296 Summary: Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Thomas Built school buses manufactured from March 2010 through July 2012, equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 diesel engines manufactured from February 16, 2010, through May 4, 2012, containing a fan pulley, part number 3914462. The subject fan pulley is part of the accessory drive system on the front of the engine. This system is used to drive such components as the refrigerant compressors, the radiator fan, and the engine water pump. The web of the pulley can fatigue over time, causing the pulley to fail. Consequence: If this occurs, the fan belt may lose engagement of the water pump, allowing the cooling system to overheat. This may result in exceeding temperature limits, potentially disabling the school bus. If the school bus is occupied when it becomes disabled, the occupants would need to exit the vehicle and be transferred to another vehicle, putting them at risk of injury. Remedy: Cummins will notify owners of the recall. Repairs will be performed by Cummins authorized service facilities. A new fan drive pulley will be installed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during December 2012. Owners may contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or DTNA at 1-800-547-0712. Notes: DTNA's recall campaign number is FL-635. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): COACH & EQUIPMENT / METRO-LITE 2007 2009 COACH & EQUIPMENT / PHOENIX 2006-2012 Manufacturer: Coach and Equipment Mfg Corp. Report Receipt Date: DEC 07, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V569000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: EQUIPMENT Potential Number of Units Affected: 337 Summary: Coach and Equipment is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Phoenix transit buses manufactured August 2006, through November 2012; and 2007 and 2009 Metro Lite transit buses manufactured January 2007, through December 2009. These buses are equipped with Ricon manufactured wheelchair lifts which have an optional armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed such that it doesn't clear the wheelchair lift and without a protective cover, or a misinstalled protective cover. Consequence: The cable may contact the power lug at the base of the wheel chair lift causing a short circuit that could result in a fire. Remedy: Ricon will be conducting this recall on behalf of Coach and Equipment Mfg Corp. Ricon will notify the affected owners and will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. This recall campaign is expected to begin by the end of December 2012. Owners may contact Coach and Equipment Mfg Corp at 1-800-946-7513 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000. Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): SPARTAN / K2 2013 SPARTAN / K3 2013 SPARTAN / MM 2013 Manufacturer: Spartan Chassis, Inc. Report Receipt Date: DEC 06, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V565000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR Potential Number of Units Affected: 23 Summary: Spartan Motors Chassis is recalling certain model year 2013 K2, K3, and MM motorhome chassis, manufactured July 23, 2012, through November 7, 2012 and equipped with an independent front suspension that has the ABS modulator valve mounted in a forward position. The front brake hoses or the ABS sensor cable may be damaged as a result of contact with the swaybar. Consequence: Damaged brake hoses will result in insufficient air being applied to the front brake chambers. Lack of air to the front brake may increase stopping distances. Damage to the ABS sensor cable may disable the ABS. Either condition may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Remedy: Spartan will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2013. Owners may contact Spartan at 1-517-543-6400. Notes: Spartan's recall campaign number is 12015. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.