Us Bus STURDIBUS recalls by model year

Reported: 2001-09-06 (September 6, 2001) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." THESE BUSES HAVE INSUFFICIENT METAL HEMMING IN THE PANEL JOINTS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE PANELS OF THE BUS MAY NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR EXTERIOR PANEL JOINTS BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS, AN ADDITIONAL 4 STEEL RIVETS WILL BE ADDED AT EACH 8" SECTION BETWEEN THE RUB RAILS TO THE JOINT FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE BUS. THE INTERIOR CEILING PANEL JOINT WILL GO FROM THE LEFT SIDE TO THE RIGHT SIDE INSIDE THE BUS. ON THE INTERIOR CELING PANELS CENTER JOINT FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR INSIDE OF THE BUS, 4 NEW STEEL RIVETS WILL BE ADDED EVERY 8" SECTION FROM FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE BUS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT US BUS AT 1-845-357-2510.

Reported: 2006-10-31 (October 31, 2006) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

CERTAIN 1998 THROUGH 2006 UNIVERSE AND STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1998 AND OCTOBER 23, 2006. THE LABEL EXPLAINING CROSSVIEW MIRROR USE IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE SEATED DRIVER WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, REARVIEW MIRRORS.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE DEATHS AND INJURIES THAT OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR VIEW TO THE REAR.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL A REPLACEMENT LABEL ALONG WITH PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2006-11-20 (November 20, 2006) · Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

CERTAIN 2000-2006 U.S. BUS STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1, 2000, AND MAY 2, 2006. THE BARRIERS WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A PASSENGER'S HEAD COULD BE DEFLECTED INTO AN UNPROTECTED AREA POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2001-07-31 (July 31, 2001) · Model years: 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. TWO FASTENERS WERE OMITTED IN ASSEMBLING THE WALL MOUNT BRACKET TO THE SEAT FRAME.

Consequence: THIS COULD COMPROMISE THE COMPARTMENTALIZATION OF THE SEATING AREA IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MODIFICATION KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT US BUS AT 1-845-357-2510.

Reported: 2007-04-13 (April 13, 2007) · Model years: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

CERTAIN U.S. BUS STURDIBUS, STURDIVAN, AND UNIVERSE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1, 2000, AND MAY 2, 2006. IN A CRASH, THE WALL AND FLOOR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE SUPPORTING STEEL WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. ALSO THE SEATS IN THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE SEAT SPACING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE MOUNTING BOLTS COULD FAIL TO RETAIN THE SEAT, ALLOWING THE PASSENGER TO BE THROWN FORWARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURIES.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2007-02-27 (February 27, 2007) · Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

CERTAIN MY 2003 THROUGH 2006 U.S. BUS STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR TRACK CAN DETACH WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATS CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2007. OWNER CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005) · Model years: 2004, 2005

CERTAIN 2004 AND 2005 MY STURDIBUS AND UNIVERSE SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH IMPROPER/MISSING WELDS ON THE 30" WIDE BARRIER SUPPORT WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, THE BARRIER MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE FRONT SEATED PASSENGER, POSSIBY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy: US BUS WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL VISUALLY INSPECT EACH SUSPECT BARRIER FOR MISSING WELDS AND REPAIR THE BARRIERS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT US BUS AT 845-357-2510.

Reported: 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005) · Model years: 2005

CERTAIN 2005 MY STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "WINDOW RETENTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT PASSENGER CONTACT WITH THE WINDOW COULD CAUSE THE WINDOW TO DISLODGE FROM ITS GASKET/SEAL, AND PERMIT PASSAGE OF A PASSENGER'S HEAD THROUGH THE RESULTING OPENING. THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH.

Remedy: US BUS WILL PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT US BUS AT 845-357-2510.

Reported: 2007-02-15 (February 15, 2007) · Model years: 2005, 2006

CERTAIN MY 2005 AND 2006 U.S. BUS UNIVERSE AND STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005, AND SEPTEMBER 1, 2006. THESE BUSES DO NOT HAVE THE TIRE AND LOADING DECAL WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE SELECTION TO PREVENT OVERLOADING.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL MAIL LABELS ALONG WITH PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2007-04-18 (April 18, 2007) · Model years: 2006

CERTAIN MY 2006 STURDIBUS AND UNIVERSE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON 2000 AND 5000 SERIES WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THE DEFECT INVOLVES THE INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT NOT DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE RICON WHEELCHAIR PLATFORM LIFT WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE WHEELCHAIR'S OCCUPANT. ALSO, ANYONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE AND FALL, RESULTING IN INJURY.

Remedy: U.S. BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984 OR RICON AT 800-322-2884.

Reported: 2007-05-28 (May 28, 2007) · Model years: 2006, 2007

CERTAIN MY 2006 AND 2007 U.S. BUS STURDIBUS, UNIVERSE, AND SAFE TRAN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERMOTIVE LIFT INTERLOCK DEVICE MODULE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2006, AND MAY 9, 2007. WHEN THE VEHICLE BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS TO 7.5 VOLTS, THE MODULE MAY GO TO A FAULT MODE AND NOT LOCK THE SHIFTER IN PARK WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY BE MOVED WITH THE LIFT DEPLOYED AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE LIFT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2007-10-22 (October 22, 2007) · Model years: 2007

CERTAIN MY 2007 US BUS STURDIBUS SCHOOL OR ACTIVITY BUSES SINGLE AND DUAL REAR WHEEL MODELS BUILT ON THE GMT 610 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2006, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE STOP LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED, THE STOP LAMPS ARE NOT LONGER ILLUMINATED BUT THE REAR BRAKES MAY STILL BE APPLIED. THE BRAKE MAY RELEASE AFTER A FEW SECONDS OR AFTER THE NEXT FIRM BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION.

Consequence: IF THE REAR BRAKES ARE STILL APPLIED AFTER RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE A SUBSTANTIAL DRAG WHEN DRIVING AND MAY NEED TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL FURTHER THAN USUAL TO CONTINUE VEHICLE MOVEMENT. A VEHICLE DRIVEN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: GENERAL MOTORS IS WORKING WITH US BUS TO NOTIFY ITS OWNERS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9643 OR US BUS AT 574-855-2019.