1997 Amtran FE: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2001-02-23 (February 23, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. SOME CERTIFICATION LABELS DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRE SPECIFIED TO MEET THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE FRONT AND/OR REAR AXLES. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," AND 49 CFR PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."

Consequence: UNDER OR OVER-INFLATED TIRES CAN CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN BLOWOUT OR OTHER FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: NEW CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE BEING PROVIDED TO OWNERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE CERTIFICATION LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-993-7686.

Reported: 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)

CE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. THE ROOF TOP SHEET MAY BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED, REDUCING THE MATERIAL EDGE DISTANCE AT THE RIVET LINE.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE JOINT STRENGHT COULD FAIL POSSIBILY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL PROVIDE INSPECTION AND REPAIR INSTRUCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. 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 IC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT (WE DO NOT YET HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.)

Reported: 2004-01-02 (January 2, 2004)

CERTAIN FE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 14, 1991, AND MARCH 4, 2003. A GAP BETWEEN THE MODESTY PANEL AND THE WHEEL WELL LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN BE CREATED IF THE PANEL IS BENT OUT OF POSITION. UNDER THE PANEL, THE EDGES ARE SHARP AND JAGGED.

Consequence: SHOULD SOMEONE REACH UNDER THE PANEL, THEY COULD CUT THIER HANDS, FINGERS, OR TOES ON THE JAGGED EDGES.

Remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JANUARY 20, 2004. 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 IC CORPORATION COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-843-5615. CUSTOMERS CAN LOCATE THE NEAREST DEALER BY CALLING 1-800-993-7686.

Reported: 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)

CERTAIN FE SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES BUILT WITH CE WHITE DRIVER SEATS WITH A PEDESTAL STYLE MOUNT AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 10, 1992 THROUGH FEBRUARY 24, 2004. THESE PEDESTALS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS RENDERING THE SEAT UNSTABLE.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE BASE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE SEAT BY REPLACING THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ASSEMBLY WITH A MORE ROBUST DESIGN. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 3, 2005. 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 IC COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-843-5615.

Reported: 1999-03-23 (March 23, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH FLIP SEATS AT THE EMERGENCY EXITS. THE SEAT CUSHION HINGE ON THE COMBINATION FLIP SEAT IS LOCATED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT IS WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT LOCATED BEHIND THE COMBO FLIP SEAT.

Consequence: THE HINGES ON THE COMBO FLIP SEAT CAN CAUSE A PINCHING CONDITION, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND SENT KITS TO REMEDY THESE SEATS.

Reported: 1999-11-23 (November 23, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS. AN AIR BRAKE LINE CONTROLLING THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND COULD RUPTURE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: EXHAUST PIPE HEAT CAN MELT OR CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS AIR LINE IF THE AIR LINE IS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ELBOW FITTING AND REROUTE THE AIR LINE. THE AIR LINE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF FOUND TO BE DAMAGED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE.