2009 Trans Tech Rondak Dw5138frl Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V099000
Manufacturer: TRANS TECH BUS
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 2009
Manufactured End Date: October 31st, 2009
Date of Owner Notification: March 31st, 2010

Defect Summary:
TRANS TECH HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN 2009 TRANS TECH SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1 AND OCTOBER 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFTS UP FUNCTION, IF THE SWITCH IS RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND BEFORE STOPPING. THE CONTINUED UPWARD TRAVEL MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Corrective Summary:
TRANSPORTATION COLLABORATIVE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. CURRENTLY RICON IS DEVELOPING A SOFTWARE SOLUTION AND IS NOT AVAILABLE. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR TCI AT 1-845-988-2333.

Recall Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .