Turtle Top Recalls Ford-Based Transit Buses Due to Electrical Fire Risk
Turtle Top is recalling 453 Ford-based transit buses because a pinched alternator harness could cause a short circuit, fire, or vehicle stall.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of fire and vehicle stalling while driving, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural/electrical defects posing severe risk.
Plain-English summary
Turtle Top is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 transit buses and specialty vehicles built on Ford chassis, including the Van Terra, Limo Coach, and Odyssey models. The recall covers 453 vehicles equipped with a Ford 5.4L or 6.8L engine and a Trans/Air-brand air compressor.
In the affected vehicles, the alternator harness may be pinched between a heater hose spring clamp and the air conditioner compressor mounting bracket. This pinch can cause the charging system to fail, potentially leading to the vehicle stalling while driving. Additionally, the spring clamp could pierce the alternator harness wires, creating a short circuit that could result in a fire.
Turtle Top will notify owners, and Trans/Air dealers will inspect the vehicles, correct the clamp installation, and repair and reroute the alternator harness as needed, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2014. Customers may contact Turtle Top at 1-574-831-4340 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- TURTLE TOP FORD VAN TERRA, FORD LIMO COACH, FORD ODYSSEY
- Brand
- TURTLE TOP
- Manufacturer
- Turtle Top
- Affected units
- 453
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)
- FORD VAN TERRA
- FORD LIMO COACH
- FORD ODYSSEY
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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