2001 New Flyer D40LF: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NEW FLYER LOW FLOOR BUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT SOMETHING IN THE AIR SYSTEM IS MOMENTARILY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF AIR THAT IS RECEIVED THROUGH THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM. ON ONE OCCASION, THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. SEVERAL OCCUPANTS REPORTED MINOR INJURIES. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10258184 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-08-22 (August 22, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. THE CLAMP NUTS FOR THE CENTER LINK TIE RODS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.

Consequence: INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED CLAMP NUTS COULD LEAD TO THE TIE RODS SEPARATING FROM THE CENTER LINK POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: NEW FLYER WILL WILL INSPECT THE TIE ROD END CLAMP LOCK NUTS TO ENSURE THAT THE NUTS ARE PROPERLY TIGHTENED. ANY DAMAGED TIE RODS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2001. 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 NEW FLYER AT 1-204-982-8181.

Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)

ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.

Consequence: IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: WILLIAMS CONTROLS IS HANDLING THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PEDAL. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WILLIAMS CONTROL AT 1-503-684-8600 OR NEW FLYER AT 204-982-8181.

Reported: 2002-05-22 (May 22, 2002)

ON CERTAIN LOW FLOOR BUSES, THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.

Consequence: THE HOSE CAN LEAK, CREATING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 1, 2002. 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 NEW FLYER AT 1-204-228-8984.

Reported: 2005-07-08 (July 8, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 40 ENGINES, THE TURBOCHARGER CAN FAIL ALLOWING LUBRICATING OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGER TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. DETROIT DIESEL IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DETROIT DIESEL AT 313-592-3708 OR NEW FLYER AT 1-204-982-8400.

Reported: 2007-02-23 (February 23, 2007)

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE FLASHING DECELERATION LAMPS WERE AN OPTIONAL ITEM FOR SOME OF THESE BUSES.

Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE DECELERATION LAMP IS A SOLID LIGHT RATHER THAN A FLASHING LIGHT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWIRE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO REMOVE THE FLASHING FUNCTION OR INSTALL A NEW PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER (PLC) WHICH WILL MAKE THE LAMPS BURN STEADY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NEW FLYER AT 204-934-4874.