Startrans Transit Buses Recalled for Wheelchair Lift Software Defect
Startrans is recalling 2009 transit buses equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts due to a software defect that may cause the lift to overrun the floor level, posing a tip-over or fall 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 injury has not yet been reported, fitting the High severity criteria for potential tip-over or fall injuries.
Plain-English summary
Startrans Bus Corporation is recalling certain model year 2009 Candidate, Candidate II, Senator, Senator HD, President, Trolley, and Senator II transit buses. These vehicles were manufactured between September 2007 and December 18, 2009, and are fitted with specific Ricon S Series and K Series L-Model wheelchair lifts.
The recall addresses a software problem in the lift's "up" function. If the "up" button is released before the floor level limit switch is activated, the lift may continue traveling upward and overrun the floor level cut-off point. When the platform stops at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees, a person in a wheelchair may tip over, or a person standing on the platform may fall, potentially resulting in injuries.
Startrans Bus will notify owners, and repairs will be performed by authorized Ricon dealers free of charge. A software solution is under investigation. Until 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 July 12, 2010. Owners may contact Ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or Startrans Bus at 1-574-642-0811.
The recalled product
- Product
- STARTRANS SENATOR, SENATOR II, TROLLEY, PRESIDENT
- Brand
- STARTRANS
- Manufacturer
- STARTRANS BUS CORPORATION
- Category
- Vehicle — Transit Bus
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 183
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 (7)
- SENATOR
- SENATOR II
- TROLLEY
- PRESIDENT
- CANDIDATE II
- CANDIDATE
- SENATOR HD
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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