2005 Collins Super Bantam problems

Defect

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2011 BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2002 THROUGH MAY 20, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE LEG PROTECTION ZONE IMPACT REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 222 "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND MAY SUSTAIN INJURIES.

Remedy

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL FOAM PADDING UNDER THE UPHOLSTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS AT 1-800-533-1850.

Defect

COLLINS BUS IS RECALLING 868 MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 GRAND BANTAM AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 5, 2005 AND JANUARY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

COLLINS BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Defect

COLLINS BUS IS RECALLING 868 MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 GRAND BANTAM AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 5, 2005 AND JANUARY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

COLLINS BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Defect

CERTAIN MY 2005 AND 2006 COLLINS BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND OMNI SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2005 AND JUNE 2006, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES", AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE WEB OF THE BELT RUBS UP AGAINST THE RETRACTOR'S METAL SLEEVE CAUSING FRICTION AND ABRASION, AND OVER TIME, MAY FRAY THE BELT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY.

Remedy

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE SEAT BELT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS AT 1-800-533-1850.

Defect

CERTAIN 2005 BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 10 AND SEPTEMBER 28, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH RICON MODEL S20005 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE PLATFORM LIFTS MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE WELD WHICH WILL ALLOW A JOINT ON THE VERTICAL LIFT TO CRACK.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT DOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE INTERLOCKS TO REMAIN ENGAGED PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ABILITY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

RICON IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06E008000) AND WILL REPLACE THE TWO VERTICAL ARMS EVEN IF ONLY ONE ARM IS CRACKED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPT. AT 800-322-2884 OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Defect

CERTAIN 2005 COLLINS BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES AND SUPER OMNI BUSES BUILT BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2005. THE FASTENERS SECURING THE SEATS AND THE BARRIERS TO THE WALL TRACK MAY BE INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES AND FMVSS NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY THE BUS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS AT 620-662-9000 OR 800-533-1850 X430.

Defect

CERTAIN 2002-2005 MY COLLINS BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH "5" SERIES STOP ARMS. THESE SCHOOL BUSES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN THE FOLLOWING: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence

SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY ALL ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN OR NEAR ANY OF THE STATES LISTED ABOVE, COLLINS IS ENCOURAGING THE BUS OWNERS TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN THE WARMER STATES, COLLINS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH UPON OWNER REQUEST. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO REQUEST THE REMEDY, COLLINS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED. THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN OCTOBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS AT 800-448-7825 OR SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING AT 1-800-951-7867.

Defect

CERTAIN 2002-2005 MY COLLINS BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MFG "5" SERIES STOP ARMS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence

SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy

COLLINS BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 12, 2005. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850 OR SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING AT 1-800-951-7867.

Defect

CERTAIN COLLINS MY 2002-2005 BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 22, 2002, AND APRIL 27, 2005. THESE BUSES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH-STYLE SINGLE PASSENGER SEATS HAVING A LOWER CUSHION SURFACE OF 24 INCHES IN WIDTH. THESE SEATS SHOULD HAVE A SEATING SURFACE OF ONLY 22 INCHES FOR A SIGNAL DESIGNATED SEATING POSITION. THESE SEATS DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence

THESE SEATS SHOULD HAVE A SEATING SURFACE OF ONLY 22 INCHES WIDE TO HAVE A SINGLE DESIGNATED SEATING POSITION. BECAUSE THE 24 INCH CUSHION IS WIDER THAN 22 INCHES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR TWO PASSENGERS TO BE SEATED IN THIS SEAT. A SECOND PASSENGER WOULD NOT HAVE AN AVAILABLE SEAT BELT FOR RESTRAINT AND MAY BE INJURED IN A CRASH.

Remedy

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE 24 INCH SEAT CUSHION WITH A 22 INCH SEAT CUSHION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Defect

CERTAIN 2002 THRU 2005 COLLINS BANTAM AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 18, 2002, AND JANUARY 17, 2005. THE PROTECTIVE RUBBER PARTS THAT COVER THE FUEL LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH METAL EDGES MAY BE MISSING.

Consequence

THE FUEL LINES MAY BE CUT RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO TAKE THEIR BUSES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FREE REPAIR. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL LINES AND INSTALL THE PROTECTIVE RUBBER COVERING SHOULD IT BE MISSING. IF THE FUEL LINES ARE DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS AT 1-800-533-1850.