2007 Startrans MFSAB: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-11-15 (November 15, 2010)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 MFSAB SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TRANS/AIR TA73 EVAPORATORS. THE EVAPORATOR UTILIZES A POWER RESISTOR TO REGULATE BLOWER SPEED. SHOULD A SHORT OCCUR IN THE "LOW OR MEDIUM SPEED" CIRCUIT WHILE THE BLOWER IS IN HIGH SPEED, THE SHORT WILL CAUSE THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE TO FEEDBACK THROUGH THE RESISTOR TO GROUND, NOT DRAWING ENOUGH CURRENT TO TRIP THE FUSE.

Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE THE RESISTOR TEMPERATURE TO RISE TO A POINT WHERE IT WILL MELT AND POSSIBLY IGNITE THE PLASTIC BLOWER HOUSING TO WHICH IT IS MOUNTED. THE OVERHEATING CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: TRANS/AIR, IN COOPERATION WITH STARTRANS, WILL INSTALL A THERMAL SHUTDOWN DEVICE IN SERIES WITH THE SPEED RESISTORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRANS/AIR WARRANTY AND SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-673-2446.

Reported: 2011-04-11 (April 11, 2011)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 MFSAB SCHOOL BUSES 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: STARTRANS 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 APRIL 18, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR STARTRANS AT 1-574-642-0810 OR 1-574-642-0096.

Reported: 2011-10-03 (October 3, 2011)

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 STARTRANS MFSAB SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DECAL ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH WARNS THE BUS OPERATOR TO USE THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS WHILE THE BUS IS STOPPED AND NOT TO USE THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS WHILE THE BUS IS MOVING. ACCORDINGLY, THE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence: IMAGES IN CROSS VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT ACCURATELY SHOW ANOTHER VEHICLE'S LOCATION, IMPROPER USE OF MIRRORS MAY REDUCE THE CLEAR AND REASONABLY UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW TO THE REAR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: STARTRANS WILL MAIL THE REQUIRED DECAL ALONG WITH DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO PLACE THE DECAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1- 877-258-1391.

Reported: 2011-11-09 (November 9, 2011)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 MODEL MFSAB SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES. THE REAR DOOR EMERGENCY EXIT IS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE BUS SEATS. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: EGRESS FROM THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE BUS OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: STARTRANS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1-877-258-1391.