1999 Collins BANTAM: complaints, problems and recalls

VIN: [XXX]. DATE: 10NOV04. VEHICLE: 1999 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA. PROBLEM: WHEN I REMOVED THE WINDSHIELD FRAME TO REPAIR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD FRAME MOUNTING BRACKET WAS NOT PROPERLY MOUNTED/WELDED/SEALED IN PLACE LIKE THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONE WAS. THE BRACKET FELL BACK INSIDE THE WINDSHIELD FRAME AND IS NOW IRREPARABLE. I CALLED CHRYSLER TWICE TO COMPLAIN AND REMEDY THE SITUATION AT [phone removed], BUT BOTH KATHY AND ROBERT REFUSED TO HELP ME THEN HUNG UP ON ME, WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR…

Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098671 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE RIGHT TIRE EXPLODED. ONCE AGAIN CONSUMER WAS IN MOTION AND THE RIGHT TIRE EXPLODED. BOTH OF THE TIRES WERE GOODYEAR MARATHON RADIALS. CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO NEW CARLYLE TIRES AND SHORTLY AFTER THE LEFT TIRE BLEW UP. CONSUMER FEELS THE TIRES RECOMMENDED FOR THIS VEHICLE, ARE NOT CAPABLE OF HOLDING THE WEIGHT. CONSUMER REQUESTS ASSISTANCE TO DETERMINE A WORKABLE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *JG

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 568006 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-07-13 (July 13, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD OR CHEVROLET CUTAWAY VAN CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH THE ROSCO "EURO-STYLE" OVERHANGING RIGHT HAND REARVIEW MIRROR. THESE MIRRORS HAVE AN INADEQUATE STRENGTH ATTACHMENT AT THE MIRROR BRACE MOUNTING POINT AND COULD PULL LOOSE DURING HIGH WINDS (FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC) OR SEVERE VIBRATION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE MIRROR BRACE ATTACHMENT ALLOWS THE MIRROR ARM TO PIVOT LEFT OR RIGHT, POSSIBLY SWINGING FAR TO THE RIGHT PAST THE BUS PERIMETER AND INJURING PEDESTRIANS NEARBY. THIS COULD ALSO RESULT IN A LOSS OF VISIBILITY SURROUNDING THE BUS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE MIRROR BRACE MOUNTING POINT FROM THE FRONT CAP OF THE BUS BODY TO THE ROOF SKIN OF THE BUS CAB, PROVIDING SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED STRENGTH. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING OF THE NONCOMPLIANCE, A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REPAIR PROCEDURE, AND WHERE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.

Reported: 1998-12-22 (December 22, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SINGLE REAR-WHEEL AND DUAL REAR-WHEEL SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON CHEVROLET 3500 VAN CUTAWAY CHASSIS, EXTERIOR BODY WIDTH OF 81" OR 94". THE SCHOOL BUS CERTIFIED SAFETY SEATS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAR BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT LEGS MAY HAVE INCOMPLETE OR MISSING WELDS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCES SPECIFIED, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NONCOMPLYING SEAT LEGS.

Reported: 1999-11-02 (November 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SINGLE-REAR-WHEEL AND DUAL-REAR-WHEEL SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON CHEVROLET 3500 VAN CUTAWAY CHASSIS. CERTAIN BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SCHOOL BUS CERTIFIED SAFETY SEATS WHICH MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT SEAT LEGS FOR THESE BUSES.