2008 Ic Bus FESB: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2006-12-21 (December 21, 2006)

CERTAIN IC SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 11, 2005, AND OCTOBER 31, 2006. THESE BUSES HAVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY ISSUES: IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS IN THE HIGHEST AND MOST REAR POSITION, THE BACK OF THE SEAT MAY LEAN AGAINST A BARRIER BEHIND THE SEAT, OR AGAINST THE SEAT BACK. THIS WILL PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM RETRACTING WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. WHEN ADJUST THE SEAT TO A HIGHER POSITION, THE DRIVER MAY PULL THE SEAT PAST THE LAST STOP SO THAT THE SEAT SITS ON THE ADJUSTING PIN, WHICH ALLOWS THE SEAT TO TEETER ON TOP OF THE PIN. IF OVER-TRAVEL OCCURS, THE UPPER SEAT PEDESTAL TUBE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER PEDESTAL TUBE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THE DRIVER IS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND REACHES TO ADJUST THE SEAT HEIGHT, THEIR WEIGHT WILL CAUSE THE SEAT TO DROP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THEIR HAND BEING PINCHED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE LEVER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS DIFFICULT TO ADJUST TO A HIGHER POSITION BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF THE ALL BELTS TO SEAT (ABTS) DESIGN.

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT IC AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2007-02-05 (February 5, 2007)

CERTAIN 2007 AND 2008 MY IC SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 18, 2006, AND JANUARY 17, 2007. THE AIR SUPPLY FITTING MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BASE PLATE, PREVENTING ACTUATION AIR FROM REACHING THE STOP ARM AND/OR CROSSING ARM. THIS CONDITION WILL RESULT IN NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE STOP ARM AND/OR CROSSING ARM DURING A SCHOOL BUS STOP TO PICK-UP OR DISCHARGE PASSENGERS.

Consequence: IF THE STOP ARM DOES NOT DEPLOY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING MOTORISTS FAILING TO STOP AT A SAFE LOCATION. IF THE CROSSING ARM DOES NOT DEPLOY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY ENTER THE DRIVER'S BLIND SPOT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED STOP ARMS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT IC CORPORATION AT 1-800-843-5615 OR INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2007-06-01 (June 1, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 20 AND SEPTEMBER 28, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS . THE LIFT INNER BARRIER INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER ON THE INNER BARRIER AND ALLOW THE PLATFORM TO MOVE DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH BELOW FLOOR LEVEL WHILE OCCUPIED WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: 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. 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: INTERNATIONAL IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 818-267-3012 OR INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2007-09-24 (September 24, 2007)

CERTAIN IC SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 29 AND AUGUST 28, 2007. THE ROUTING OF THE SERVICE AND PARKING BRAKE RUBBER DROP HOSES TO THE REAR AXLE'S BRAKE COMPONENTS MAY BRING THEM TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE.

Consequence: THE RUBBER HOSES MAY MELT IF ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE TAIL PIPE CAUSING EITHER OF THE TWO POSSIBILITIES: 1) AN AIR LEAK ON THE PARKING BRAKE HOSE MAY CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKES TO SLOWLY APPLY WHILE DEPLETING BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR CIRCUITS. EVEN THOUGH THE AIR PRESSURE GAUGE AND LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING BUZZER WOULD SOUND, THESE CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE THE BUS TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. 2) AN AIR LEAK ON THE SERVICE BRAKE HOSE MAY RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHILE ALSO DEPLETING THE PRIMARY AIR TANK POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSES TO DETERMINE THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE TAIL PIPE. ANY HOSE FOUND TO BE CLOSER THAN 4" WILL BE REPLACED AND BOTH HOSES WILL THEN BE RE-ROUTED TO ENSURE PROPER DISTANCE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT IC CORPORATION AT 1-800-843-5615 OR INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2008-02-27 (February 27, 2008)

INTERNATIONAL IS RECALLING 34,993 MY 2006-2008 SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS/TRACTORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2006 AND JUNE 28, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH INTERNATIONAL DT466 OR DT570 ENGINES. THE BASE PLATE OF THE ENGINE OIL COOLER MAY CRACK ALLOWING PRESSURIZED OIL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE EITHER ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, OR IN EXTREME CASES, POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE WHICH CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 800-448-7825.

Reported: 2008-08-27 (August 27, 2008)

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING 1,889 IC SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 4, 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR 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: NAVISTAR IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR NAVISTAR AT 1-260-461-1890.

Reported: 2008-08-27 (August 27, 2008)

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING 1,607 MY 2007 THROUGH 2009 IC BESB, CESB, FESB, AND RESB SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 4, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2007, EQUIPPED WITH RICON S OR K SERIES WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. 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 WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES."

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

Remedy: NAVISTAR IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR NAVISTAR AT 1-260-461-1890.

Reported: 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING 61,316 MY 2001 THROUGH 2009 IC BE, CE, AND FE MODEL COMMERCIAL AND SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2, 2000 AND JUNE 2, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH AN ENTRANCE DOOR STEPWELL HEATER FEATURE CODE 0048PMS OR 0548001 AND/OR A REAR WALL MOUNTED HEATER FEATURE CODE 0048TAR OR 0048PSX. THE AFFECTED HEATER UNITS MAY FAIL IN LOW SPEED OPERATION CAUSING ELEVATED TEMPERATURES.

Consequence: ELEVATED TEMPERATURES CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON FEBRUARY 20, 2009, TO COMMUNICATE THE DEFECT AND RECOMMEND ACTION TO MITIGATE THE RISK UNTIL THE FINAL REMEDY AND CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION COULD BE PROVIDED AT A LATER DATE. THE MANUFACTURE FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT DATED MARCH 27, 2009 ADVISING THAT A FINAL REMEDY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND PARTS ARE BEING MANUFACTURED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2012-09-27 (September 27, 2012)

Navistar is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2011 IC school buses, models CESB, RESB, and FESB, manufactured from June 17, 2004, through October 15, 2009, equipped with I-6 engines within feature codes 12N (PL, PM, PN, PR, PS, PT, PU, PV, SA, SG, SK, SL, SM, SV, SZ, TB, UA, UB, UC, and UD). The high pressure engine oil line may develop a leak or possibly rupture.

Consequence: A leak or rupture of the high pressure oil line could possibly result in an unexpected engine stall or may result in an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure oil line free of change. The safety recall began on December 21, 2012. Owners may contact Navistar at 1-331-332-1590.