Neoplan AN440 recalls by model year

Reported: 1996-07-23 (July 23, 1996) · Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE CAN CRACK AROUND THE WELDS.

Consequence: THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE CAN BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL INSPECT THE ENTIRE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE FOR CRACKS AND/OR HAIRLINE FRACTURES. IF ANY CRACKS OR FRACTURES ARE FOUND, OWNERS WILL REMOVE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE AND RETURN IT TO NEOPLAN FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT.

Reported: 1995-08-30 (August 30, 1995) · Model years: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995

SOME TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE TRIGGERS WERE NOT X-RAYED. THESE TRIGGERS COULD CONTAIN INTERNAL VOIDS THAT WOULD MAKE THE TRIGGERS SUSCEPTIBLE TO ADVANCED CREEP CAUSING FALSE ACTIVATION AND VENTING OF THE CNG.

Consequence: VENTING OF THE CNG COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NEOPLAN WILL REPLACE THE PRD WITH THE NEWER DESIGN "GENERATION 2.5" PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE.

Reported: 1996-09-23 (September 23, 1996) · Model years: 1995

THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS SUPPLIED BY EDO CANADA. THE FUEL CYLINDER STRAPS EXPAND WHEN TANKS ARE PRESSURIZED CAUSING BRACKETS TO BREAK THE MOUNTING HARDWARE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE CYLINDER TO FALL INCREASING THE RISK OF EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Remedy: A NEW STRAP WITH ELASTOMERIC SPRINGS THAT WILL ALLOW THE STRAP TO EXPAND WITH THE TANK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON THESE BUSES.

Reported: 1996-09-23 (September 23, 1996) · Model years: 1995

THE TYPE 4 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL TANK SUPPLIED BY EDO CANADA CAN RUPTURE DURING FUELING.

Consequence: RUPTURE OF A CNG FUEL TANK CAN CAUSE CNG LEAKAGE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

Remedy: EACH TANK IS BEING VISUALLY INSPECTED, ASSISTED BY DYE PENETRANT AND RESONANCE TESTED. A DETECTION SHIELD IS PLACED UNDER EACH PAIR OF TANKS, UNDER THE BUS, TO PROVIDE EASE OF INSPECTION FOR ANY DAMAGE. ANY DAMAGED TANK WILL BE REPLACED.

Reported: 1998-11-19 (November 19, 1998) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS L-10 ENGINES AND NELSON CATALYSTS AND SOLD TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE CATALYST CAN EXPERIENCE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WHICH COULD BE CAUSED FROM UNBURNED METHANE IGNITING INSIDE THE CATALYST BRICK.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYST AND COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYST.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND POSITIONING; INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE FIBERGLASS HOLE SURROUNDING THE TAIL PIPE, REMOVE A RUBBER AIR INLET BOOT THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYST; REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND ADD A BLANKET AROUND THE CATALYST TO PROVIDE ADDED INSULATION.

Reported: 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003) · Model years: 1997

ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE C8.3G AND L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR NEOPLAN AT 719-336-3256, EXT. 476.

Reported: 2000-04-05 (April 5, 2000) · Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. FAILURE OF A SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVE IN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS PROVIDED BY LIFT-U, MAY ALLOW THE FRONT AND REAR PLATFORM BARRIERS TO RETURN TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION FROM THE VERTICAL POSITION THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LOCKED IN.

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW A MOBILITY AID TO ROLL OFF OF THE LIFT PLATFORM INJURING ITS OCCUPANT. LIFT-U WILL REPLACE THE SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVES.

Remedy: LIFT-U WILL REPLACE THE SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVES.

Reported: 2001-08-01 (August 1, 2001) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Consequence: WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. THE AFFECTED EQUALIZERS WILL BE REPLACED BY VANNER. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VANNER AT 1-800-227-6937 OR NEOPLAN AT 1-719-336-3256.

Reported: 2005-06-14 (June 14, 2005) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000

ON CERTAIN STANDARD FLOOR, LOW FLOOR AND ARTICULATED TRANSIT BUSES BUILT WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER COMPRESSOR WHEEL CAN BREAK, RESULTING IN SHAFT IMBALANCE AND LUBRICATING OIL PASSES INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURIES.

Remedy: NEOPLAN IS WORKING WITH DETROIT DIESEL TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND REPROGRAM THE EMC CALIBRATION. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NEOPLAN AT 719-336-3256 OR DETROIT DIESEL AT 313-592-3708.

Reported: 2001-08-01 (August 1, 2001) · Model years: 2000, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR "W-SERIES" AIR-ACTUATED BRAKE CAM ROLLERS. THESE ROLLERS WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND ALSO SOLD AS REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE AFFECTED BRAKE ROLLERS MAY FRACTURE IF SUBJECTED TO HIGH APPLICATION LOADINGS.

Consequence: IF ONE OR MORE OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ROLLERS FRACTURE, PROPER BRAKE APPLICATION COULD BE COMPROMISED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: ARVINMERITOR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSPECT BRAKE ROLLERS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ARVINMERITOR AT 1-859-525-3361.