2001 Us Bus STURDIBUS: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2001-07-31 (July 31, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. TWO FASTENERS WERE OMITTED IN ASSEMBLING THE WALL MOUNT BRACKET TO THE SEAT FRAME.

Consequence: THIS COULD COMPROMISE THE COMPARTMENTALIZATION OF THE SEATING AREA IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MODIFICATION KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT US BUS AT 1-845-357-2510.

Reported: 2001-09-06 (September 6, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH." THESE BUSES HAVE INSUFFICIENT METAL HEMMING IN THE PANEL JOINTS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SIDE PANELS OF THE BUS MAY NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR EXTERIOR PANEL JOINTS BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS, AN ADDITIONAL 4 STEEL RIVETS WILL BE ADDED AT EACH 8" SECTION BETWEEN THE RUB RAILS TO THE JOINT FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE BUS. THE INTERIOR CEILING PANEL JOINT WILL GO FROM THE LEFT SIDE TO THE RIGHT SIDE INSIDE THE BUS. ON THE INTERIOR CELING PANELS CENTER JOINT FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR INSIDE OF THE BUS, 4 NEW STEEL RIVETS WILL BE ADDED EVERY 8" SECTION FROM FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE BUS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE MODIFICATION KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT US BUS AT 1-845-357-2510.

Reported: 2006-10-31 (October 31, 2006)

CERTAIN 1998 THROUGH 2006 UNIVERSE AND STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1998 AND OCTOBER 23, 2006. THE LABEL EXPLAINING CROSSVIEW MIRROR USE IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE SEATED DRIVER WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, REARVIEW MIRRORS.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE DEATHS AND INJURIES THAT OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR VIEW TO THE REAR.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL A REPLACEMENT LABEL ALONG WITH PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2006-11-20 (November 20, 2006)

CERTAIN 2000-2006 U.S. BUS STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1, 2000, AND MAY 2, 2006. THE BARRIERS WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, A PASSENGER'S HEAD COULD BE DEFLECTED INTO AN UNPROTECTED AREA POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2007-04-13 (April 13, 2007)

CERTAIN U.S. BUS STURDIBUS, STURDIVAN, AND UNIVERSE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1, 2000, AND MAY 2, 2006. IN A CRASH, THE WALL AND FLOOR MOUNTING BOLTS CAN PULL THROUGH THE SUPPORTING STEEL WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. ALSO THE SEATS IN THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE SEAT SPACING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE MOUNTING BOLTS COULD FAIL TO RETAIN THE SEAT, ALLOWING THE PASSENGER TO BE THROWN FORWARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURIES.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.