2006 Collins GRAND BANTAM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2008-01-14 (January 14, 2008)

CERTAIN MY 2005 AND 2006 COLLINS BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND OMNI SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2005 AND JUNE 2006, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES", AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE WEB OF THE BELT RUBS UP AGAINST THE RETRACTOR'S METAL SLEEVE CAUSING FRICTION AND ABRASION, AND OVER TIME, MAY FRAY THE BELT.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURY.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE SEAT BELT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2008-11-12 (November 12, 2008)

COLLINS BUS IS RECALLING 868 MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 GRAND BANTAM AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 5, 2005 AND JANUARY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: COLLINS BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2008-11-12 (November 12, 2008)

COLLINS BUS IS RECALLING 868 MY 2005 THROUGH 2007 GRAND BANTAM AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 5, 2005 AND JANUARY 17, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: COLLINS BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2011-05-23 (May 23, 2011)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2011 BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2002 THROUGH MAY 20, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE LEG PROTECTION ZONE IMPACT REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 222 "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND MAY SUSTAIN INJURIES.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL FOAM PADDING UNDER THE UPHOLSTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 23, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS. DUE TO TIME, TEMPERATURE, AND/OR VIBRATION, THE FUSE MAY LOOSEN IN THE FUSE HOLDER RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE AND ARCING.

Consequence: IF SUFFICIENT ARCING OCCURS, THE FUSE HOLDER MAY MELT, AND A VEHICLE FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT FROM CARRIER ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR COLLINS AT 1- 1-620-662-9000.

Reported: 2014-09-26 (September 26, 2014)

Collins Bus Corporation (Collins) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Collins and Mid Bus Super Bantam, Grand Bantam, Super Guide, Grand Guide, DE416WR, DH416WR, and DE516WR school buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to June 16, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Collins will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental platform support bumper kit. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The began on December 15, 2014. Owners may contact Collins customer service at 1-800-533-1850 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.