2008 Collins SUPER BANTAM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-02-23 (February 23, 2009)

COLLINS IS RECALLING 559 MY 2007 THROUGH 2009 SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 AND E-450 CHASSIS FROM NOVEMBER 3, 2006 TO OCTOBER 1, 2009. THESE BUSES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE ABSENCE OF TWO BODY MOUNT BOLTS AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE IN 2 OF THE BODY/CHASSIS MOUNTING LOCATIONS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR AXLE.

Consequence: IF ANY OF THE BODY MOUNT BOLTS ARE MISSING THIS CONDITION WOULD NOT PROVIDE A STABLE CONNECTION OF THE BUS BODY TO THE BUS CHASSIS. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BUSES IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2009-03-06 (March 6, 2009)

COLLINS IS RECALLING 2,741 MY 2008 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND JANUARY 1, 2009. THE BOLTS USED TO MOUNT THE BODY TO THE CHASSIS FRAME RAIL MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH COULD LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE BOLTS.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THESE BOLTS WILL RESULT IN INADEQUATE CONNECTION OF THE BUS BODY TO THE BUS CHASSIS. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BUSES IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 19, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2009-12-11 (December 11, 2009)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 GRAND BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, MID BUS GRAND GUIDE, AND MID BUS SUPER GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14 TO OCTOBER 19, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAUN NCL917IB-2 CENTURY WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THE TOE STOP INNER BARRIER AND PLATFORM MAY NOT BE ADJUSTED CORRECTLY POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE UNIT TO BE MOVED TO THE STOW POSITION. THESE WHEELCHAIR LEFTS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES."

Consequence: SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW WHILE IT IS IN USE, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR TO THE LIFT USER.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND BRAUN DEALERS WILL PERFORM THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850 EXT 424.

Reported: 2010-08-02 (August 2, 2010)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, AND SUPER BANTAM MODEL SCHOOL BUSES. THE 39 INCH THREE PASSENGER SEATS FAIL TO MEET THE MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: SEAT OCCUPANTS ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2010-09-28 (September 28, 2010)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 SUPER BANTAM AND GRAND BANTAM AND MID BUS SUPER GUIDE AND GRAND GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND CHEVROLET PLATFORMS FROM MARCH 31, 2008 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) 000290 LED LIGHT KITS. A CHANGE TO THE WIRE USED IN THE LED LIGHT KITS MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LIFE OF THE LIGHTS USED ON THE STOP ARMS. THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: SHOULD THE LED LIGHTS STOP FUNCTIONING, VISIBILITY OF A STOPPED BUS WOULD BE DECREASED, INCREASING THE RISK THAT A CHILD OR OTHER PEDESTRIAN WITHIN VICINITY OF THE STOPPED BUS COULD BE STRUCK BY A PASSING VEHICLE.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LIGHT KITS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE 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: 2012-06-07 (June 7, 2012)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2010 GRAND BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, MID BUS GRAND GUIDE, AND MID BUS SUPER GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 21, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN CENTURY-2 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME, AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.

Consequence: A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIR’S OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE BRAUN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE GROUP AT 1-800-488-0359 OR COLLINS BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850 EXT. 424.

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.