Amtran Re recalls

What is wrong

Certain 1998, 2000-2005 my ce, fe, and re school buses built with one or more ce white 30-inch child restraint seats and manufactured between march 25, 1998 and august 24, 2004. The seat cushion retention may not retain the seat in all circumstances.

Risk

In the event of a sudden stop, the seat cushion may tip forward and may become unattached causing the passenger to slide off the seat and/or be trapped by the seat cushion. This action could possibly result in personal injury or death.

Remedy

Ic corp will notify its customers and will repair the cushion by adding a clip to the cushion tying it to the seat frame. The recall began on october 5, 2004. 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 compliance department at 1‑800‑843‑5615.

Recall number 04V498000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain my 2001-2005 amtran/ic corporation ce, fe, and re school buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair tie-down securement assemblies p/n 8625-13. The sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly may be out of alignment causing the load pawl not to fully seat in the sprocket teeth.

Risk

In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries.

Remedy

Sure-lok will notify ic's customers and repair the buses on ic's behalf at no cost to the customer. The recall began august 16, 2004. 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 sure-lok at 1‑908‑231‑1804.

Recall number 04V469000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain school buses, the instructions on how to operate the emergency exit did not meet the minimal letter height of 1-centermeter. These buses fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no 217, bus emergency exits and window retention and release.

Risk

The label may not be visible to the operator, possibly resulting in injury if the occupants cannot exit the bus quickly.

Remedy

Ic will mail new labels with installation instructions. Owner notification began june 25, 2004. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ic at 501‑505‑2190.

Recall number 04V251000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain "special needs" school buses equipped with sur-loc "l" wheelchair tracks, the lift mounting bolts could corrode if moisture occurs in the treated plywood floor.

Risk

This could reduce the function of the track or the strength of the lift mounting bolts resulting in personal injury to the occupants.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the sur-loc "l" tracks with protected tracks and mounting hardware. Also, lift floor-mounting bolts will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin march 19, 2004. 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 at 1‑800‑843‑5615.

Recall number 04V097000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain commercial buses equipped with t-slide oval windows fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release." incorrect side emergency exit windows were installed.

Risk

Passengers could be prevented from exiting the bus, which could result in personal injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the windows. Owner notification began december 18, 2003. 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.

Recall number 04V012000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.)

Recall number 03V354000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain buses equipped with hydraulic brakes, the master cylinder was damaged during the fill and bleed procedure.

Risk

This damage can cause brake drag, brake lock-up or extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the master cylinder. Owner notification began january 27, 2003. 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 corporation at 1‑800‑993‑7686.

Recall number 02V343000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain school buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 221, "school bus body joint strength." the entrance door stepwell vertical joints were built with an inadequate number of fasteners.

Risk

The effectiveness of this joint during a crash could be reduced allowing separation of the joints which could result in an opening or protrusion of metal edges in the stepwell area, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with repair instructions and parts free of charge. Additional fasteners will be added to the vertical joints of the stepwell. Owner notification is expected to begin august 22, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free repair instructions and parts within a reasonable time should contact ic at 1‑800‑843‑5615.

Recall number 02V200000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 01V241000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Recall number 01V269000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses equipped with rosco cross over mirrors. The position of the driver's rear view mirror does not allow complete visibility of pedestrians as required under federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 111, "rearview mirrors."

Risk

A pedestrian could be injured or killed if the driver of the school bus cannot see them.

Remedy

Amtran will notify owners with instructions to reposition the driver's rear view mirror up 3 1/8 inches. Owner notification began june 4, 2001. 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 501‑505‑2190.

Recall number 01V145001 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school and transit buses. Some certification labels displayed the incorrect tire pressure for the tire specified to meet the gross axle weight rating for the front and/or rear axles. This does not meet the certain requirements of fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars," and 49 cfr part 567, "certification."

Risk

Under or over-inflated tires can cause or contribute to premature tire failure, possibly resulting in a sudden blowout or other failure which could result in a loss of control of the vehicle.

Remedy

New certification labels are being provided to owners. Owner notification began march 16, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free certification label within a reasonable time should contact amtran at 1‑800‑993‑7686.

Recall number 01V057000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses equipped with hehr international rear exit windows with vandal locks. These buses were built with rear emergency exit windows incorporating a lock option that could be left in the lock position and allow the engine to be started. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss 217, "bus emergency exits and window retention and release."

Risk

During the operation of the bus, the window could remain locked and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant would not be able to open the window increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with instructions on how to repair the noncompliance.

Recall number 00V390000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the ABS ecu.

Recall number 00V232101 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss 565, "vehicle identification number requirements." the vehicles have the wrong model year code in the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Risk

These errors will affect the registration of the vehicle.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with corrected certification labels.

Recall number 00V208000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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."

Risk

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.

Recall number 00V182000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses. Some rear emergency exit windows do not meet the vertical opening requirements as specified by fmvss no. 217, "bus window retention and release."

Risk

In the event of a crash, personal injury could occur.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with instructions on how to identify the defect and repair procedures. If the owner prefers, an amtran dealer can perform the remedy for them.

Recall number 99V146000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses equipped with flip seats at the emergency exits. The seat cushion hinge on the combination flip seat is located in such a manner that it is within easy reach of the passenger sitting in the seat located behind the combo flip seat.

Risk

The hinges on the combo flip seat can cause a pinching condition, resulting in personal injury.

Remedy

Owners will be notified and sent kits to remedy these seats.

Recall number 99V061000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Transit and school buses. Some rear brake assemblies were built using incorrect mounting hardware. Improper torque of the fastener or fasteners that retain the brakes to the rear axle could allow brake groups to separation from the rear axle.

Risk

Separation of the rear axle could cause a crash.

Remedy

Dealers/owners will inspect the mounting hardware and replace the lock nuts if necessary.

Recall number 99V038000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Vehicle description: school buses. The emergency door hinges that consist of steel pin fittings and/or lacklubrication can bind from rust and/or corrosion.

Risk

This could cause difficulty in opening the doors in the event of an emergency.

Remedy

Owners will be provided with a repair kit and installation instructions. The owners can contact an amtran dealer for assistance if they so desire.

Recall number 98V301000 · Recall details

What is wrong

The low pressure power steering return hose can either burst or become disconnected due to increased fluid viscosity in frigid temperatures.

Risk

If the low pressure return hose bursts or separates, there would be a loss of power assist to the steering and a reduction in power assist to the brakes on vehicles equipped with hydraulic brakes.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the return hoses with a hose that can tolerate higher pressures, use improved clamps and a power steering fluid that is less viscous in frigid temperatures.

Recall number 97V048000 · Recall details