Amtran RS3505 recalls by model year

Reported: 1996-03-11 (March 11, 1996) · Model years: 1996

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence: WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT. REPLACE FOAM PAD AND INSTALL 1" THICK RUBBER SPACER BETWEEN THE BRACE AND THE WALL.

Reported: 1996-07-16 (July 16, 1996) · Model years: 1996

THE REAR WINDOW BUZZER DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE BUZZER SWITCH DOES NOT ACTIVATE AND/OR THE WINDOW IS NOT CLOSED WHEN THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION.

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ALERTED THAT THE REAR WINDOW IS UNLATCHED UNTIL THE WINDOW IS PHYSICALLY OPENED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WINDOW BUZZER SWITCH.

Reported: 1996-11-04 (November 4, 1996) · Model years: 1996, 1997

THE AIR/SPRING ACTUATED PARKING BRAKE CHAMBERS MANUFACTURED BY MIDLAND (DATE CODE 145B6K) WERE FILLED WITH THE WRONG LUBRICATION. THE IMPROPER LUBRICANT CAUSES THE SEALS WITHIN THE CHAMBER TO FAIL AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF AIR. IF AIR PRESSURE DROPS TO 55 PSI THE SPRING WITHIN THE CHAMBER WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.

Consequence: IF AIR PRESSURE DROPS BELOW 55 PSI AND THE OPERATOR DOES NOT HEED THE LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING AND CONTINUES TO DRIVE, THE PARKING BRAKE WILL APPLY. THIS CAN CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE LINING TO OVERHEAT AND PREMATURELY WEAR. WHEN THE BUS IS PARKED AND THE BRAKE APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Remedy: DEALERS (OR OWNERS) WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBERS FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODE. IF THE CHAMBER HAS THIS CODE, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED.

Reported: 1998-05-15 (May 15, 1998) · Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICES (FUSES OR CIRCUIT BREAKERS) ALLOWING THE HEADLAMPS, DURING HIGH BEAM OPERATION, TO IMPOSE TOO MUCH LOAD CAUSING THE PROTECTION DEVICE TO OPEN THE CIRCUIT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF THE HEAD LIGHTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.

Reported: 1998-06-02 (June 2, 1998) · Model years: 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 2-PIECE, NO5X7508 TILTING STEERING COLUMN, OR NO5X710 TELESCOPIC AND TILTING STEERING COLUMN. THE UPPER PINCH BOLT NUT WAS OMITTED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. IF THE NUT WAS NOT INSTALLED, THE BOLT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.

Reported: 1998-10-07 (October 7, 1998) · Model years: 1998, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT AND SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH THE REAR AXLE FIVE-SPOKE CAST STYLE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES, CODES 28A002, 28A003, 28A006, AND 28A007. THESE ASSEMBLIES HAVE MIS-MATCHED WHEEL SPACER AND CLAMPS, WHICH COULD CAUSE HIGH STRESS ON THE WHEEL STUDS.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POTENTIAL WHEEL STUD FAILURES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.