Novabus RTS recalls by model year

Reported: 2002-05-30 (May 30, 2002) · Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES WITH AN OPTION FOR DECELERATION LIGHTS DO NOT MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DECELERATION LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE REAR CENTER OF THE BUS, ABOVE THE REAR ENGINE DOOR. THEY ARE PROVIDED AS A MEANS OF ALERTING VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND THE BUS THAT IT IS SLOWING DOWN AND MAY BE PREPARING TO STOP. ALSO, THE DRIVER ACTIVATED, FLASHING HOODLUM LIGHTS, IS TO ALERT THE PUBLIC/POLICE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURRING IN THE BUS FOR WHICH THE DRIVER REQUIRES ASSISTANCE. TWO OF THESE LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THE BUS AT EACH END OF THE DESTINATION SIGN AND TWO AT THE REAR OF THE BUS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ROOF MARKER LIGHTS. THEY FLASH IN AN ALTERNATING PATTERN FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THESE LAMPS SHALL BE WIRED TO BE STEADY BURNING.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETROFIT THESE BUSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2002. 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 NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-2011.

Reported: 2007-02-01 (February 1, 2007) · Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 50 ENGINES, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WILL NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO ACTIVATE THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR.

Consequence: ENGINE MALFUNCTION COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO ENGINE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE AND POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: NOVABUS IS WORKING WITH DETROIT DIESEL TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINES (PLEASE SEE 05E050). THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 1-313-592-3708 OR NOVABUS AT 1-450-472-6410.

Reported: 2001-10-09 (October 9, 2001) · Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR PANELS USED IN PASSENGER DOORWAYS ON TRANSIT AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY BUSES SUPPLIED BY VAPOR CORPORATION. DUE TO AN IMPERFECT BONDING OF THE DOOR PANEL SKIN TO THE PANEL FRAME, ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE MAY INFILTRATE REGIONS OF IMPERFECT BONDING AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME AND DOOR PANEL.

Consequence: THE DOOR SEPARATES AND FALLS OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: VAPOR CORPORATION WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR BUSES INSPECTED AND WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL FASTENERS TO ATTACH THE SKINS TO THE FRAME ELEMENTS. 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 VAPOR CORPORATION AT 847-967-8300 OR NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-7349.

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

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: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BRAKE ROLLERS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2001. 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 NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-7349 OR ARVINMERITOR AT 1-859-525-3361.

Reported: 2001-10-09 (October 9, 2001) · Model years: 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES. THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.

Consequence: IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE PEDALS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 2001. 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 NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-7349.

Reported: 2005-02-28 (February 28, 2005) · Model years: 2001

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR URRESKO TIE ROD CLAMPS, HEAT TREATMENT OF CLAMPS CREATED A SURFACE HARDNESS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FRACTURE OF THE CLAMPS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRACK, THE CLAMPS COULD BREAK OFF AFFECTING TOE-IN AND ALIGNMENT. THE TIE ROD CAN COME LOOSE RESULTING IN STEERING LOSS AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: ARVINMERITOR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ARVINMERITOR AT 1-866-668-7221 OR NOVABUS AT 450-974-3134.