2003 Nabi 45CLFW: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-03-09 (March 9, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, THE FRONT AXLE STOPS AND THE POWER STEERING GEAR HYDRAULIC LIMIT VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. THE DRAG LINK MAY EXPERIENCE PERMANENT DEFORMATION DUE TO THE STEERING LOAD.

Consequence: DURING LONG TERM OPERATION INVOLVING REPEATED FLEXING OF THE DRAG LINK, IT MAY EVENTUALLY CRACK AND BREAK. THE DRIVER WILL NO LONGER HAVE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DRAG LINKS WITH A STRONGER DRAG LINK. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR HYDRAULIC LIMIT VALVE SETTINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 16, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 256-831-4296.

Reported: 2007-07-13 (July 13, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVES, THE INTERNAL RUBBER CHECK VALVE MAY LEAK CAUSING A DELAY IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH VALVE BUTTON.

Consequence: THIS COULD DELAY OR FAILURE IN APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BENDIX, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NABI, IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 07E-037). BENDIX WILL INSTALL A CHECK VALVE REPAIR KIT FOR THE AFFECTED SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MODULATING VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENDIX AT 440-329-9000 OR NABI AT 256-831-4296.

Reported: 2008-08-26 (August 26, 2008)

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING 164 MY 2003-2004 45CLFW COMPOSITE BODIED TRANSIT BUSES. AFTER PROLONGED USE OF THE PARKER CHECK VALVE, THE VALVE BODY RETAINER MAY BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN, AND EVENTUALLY BREAK APART.

Consequence: PIECES OF THE VALVE COULD BECOME LODGED WITHIN THE SPRING BRAKE VALVE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A LEAK OR PREVENTING AIR FROM PROPERLY EXHAUSTING FROM THE SPRING BRAKE VALVE. THIS COULD CAUSE A DELAY IN BRAKE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING (PARKING) BRAKES AFTER THE OPERATOR PULLS THE DASH CONTROL VALVE, SPRING BRAKES NOT FULLY RELEASING, OR LOSS OF ISOLATION BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CIRCUITS. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY, BRAKE DRAG, OR IN THE CASE OF LOSS OF PRIMARY CIRCUIT, THE INABILITY TO MODULATE THE SPRING B RAKES.

Remedy: NABI IS WORKING WITH BENDIX TO REPLACE THE PARKER CHECK VALVES (PLEASE SEE 07E038). OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENDIX AT 1-440-329-9000 OR NABI AT 1-888-391-1777.

Reported: 2012-07-10 (July 10, 2012)

NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES (NABI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2011 45CLFW TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2003, THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2011. THE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A LOOSE CONNECTION IN THE JOINT BETWEEN THE STEERING PITMAN ARM AND A TAPERED SPLINED SHAFT ON THE STEERING GEAR. THE SPLINES MAY WEAR OVER TIME RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence: A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: NABI WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR VEHICLES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI AT 1-256-831-4296.

Reported: 2013-06-13 (June 13, 2013)

North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2003-2013 45CLFW and 2013 40CLFW transit buses manufactured November 1, 2008, through June 7, 2013. The air brake pedal mounting may become loose during application of the brake pedal.

Consequence: If the brake pedal comes loose during use, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes as expected and required, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: NABI will notify owners and inspect and repair the buses, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2013. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-241-1298. NABI's recall number is 20134.