Trans Tech School Buses Recalled for Wheelchair Lift Software Defect
NHTSA is recalling 2009 Trans Tech school buses equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts due to a software defect that may cause the lift to overrun the floor level.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.
Plain-English summary
Trans Tech Bus has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a defect in certain 2009 Trans Tech school buses manufactured between May 1 and October 31, 2009. These vehicles are equipped with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-Model wheelchair lifts. The affected models include the RondaK DW5138FRL, DW6158FRL, and DW8195FRL.
The defect involves a problem in the software that controls the lift's upward function. If the switch is released before the floor level limit switch is activated, the lift may continue traveling upward for approximately one second before stopping. This continued travel may cause the platform to overrun the vehicle floor level cut-off point.
When the platform overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees, it is possible for a person in a wheelchair to tip over or for someone standing on the platform to fall, potentially resulting in injuries. Transportation Collaborative, Inc. will notify owners, and repairs will be performed by authorized Ricon dealers free of charge. Until a software solution is available, Ricon will provide owners with a bulletin outlining proper operation and a DVD-based training aid at no cost. The safety recall began on March 31, 2010.
The recalled product
- Product
- TRANS TECH RONDAK DW5138FRL, DW6158FRL, DW8195FRL
- Brand
- TRANS TECH
- Manufacturer
- TRANS TECH BUS
- Category
- Vehicle — School Bus
- Affected units
- 12
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (3)
- RONDAK DW5138FRL
- DW6158FRL
- DW8195FRL
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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