Ford E-350 and E-450 Transit Buses Recalled for Lift Restraint Defect
Elkhart Coach is recalling Ford E-350 and E-450 transit buses because the wheelchair lift restraint belt may not latch securely, posing an injury risk.
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 the restraint belt may fail to secure the lift, posing an injury risk to occupants, but no specific injuries or fatalities are reported in the source text.
Plain-English summary
Elkhart Coach has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a defect in certain 2007-2009 Ford E-350 and E-450 transit buses equipped with Ricon Public Use Lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts is designed to prevent the lift from moving unless the belt tongue is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. However, it is possible for an operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism. In this scenario, the belt would appear to be latched, allowing the operator to run the lift even if the restraint is not secure.
If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform. The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.
Elkhart Coach is working with Ricon to handle the remedy for this campaign. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a DVD-based training aid. The safety recall began on July 27, 2010. Owners may contact Ricon Customer Service at 800-322-2884 or email [email protected] for more information.
The recalled product
- Product
- FORD E-350, E-450
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- ELKHART COACH
- Category
- Vehicle — Transit Bus
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 41
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 (2)
- E-350
- E-450
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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