2009 Collins SUPER BANTAM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-02-23 (February 23, 2009)

COLLINS IS RECALLING 559 MY 2007 THROUGH 2009 SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 AND E-450 CHASSIS FROM NOVEMBER 3, 2006 TO OCTOBER 1, 2009. THESE BUSES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE ABSENCE OF TWO BODY MOUNT BOLTS AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE IN 2 OF THE BODY/CHASSIS MOUNTING LOCATIONS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR AXLE.

Consequence: IF ANY OF THE BODY MOUNT BOLTS ARE MISSING THIS CONDITION WOULD NOT PROVIDE A STABLE CONNECTION OF THE BUS BODY TO THE BUS CHASSIS. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BUSES IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2009-12-11 (December 11, 2009)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 GRAND BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, MID BUS GRAND GUIDE, AND MID BUS SUPER GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 14 TO OCTOBER 19, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAUN NCL917IB-2 CENTURY WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THE TOE STOP INNER BARRIER AND PLATFORM MAY NOT BE ADJUSTED CORRECTLY POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE UNIT TO BE MOVED TO THE STOW POSITION. THESE WHEELCHAIR LEFTS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES."

Consequence: SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW WHILE IT IS IN USE, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR TO THE LIFT USER.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND BRAUN DEALERS WILL PERFORM THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS SERVICE AT 1-800-533-1850 EXT 424.

Reported: 2010-02-18 (February 18, 2010)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND OCTOBER 1, 2009, BUILT ON FORD CUTAWAY CHASSIS. THE BRAKE-TURN SEPARATOR MODULE WHICH IS USED TO CONTROL THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS IN THE REAR MAY NOT ALWAYS DISTINGUISH CORRECTLY BETWEEN A BRAKE SIGNAL INPUT AND A TURN SIGNAL INPUT FROM THE FORD CHASSIS OEM WIRING. FOR TYPICAL BRAKE AND TURN SIGNAL OPERATION, THE STOP/TAIL/TURN LIGHTS AT THE REAR OF THE BUS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY. HOWEVER, IF THE BRAKES ARE PUMPED/APPLIED IN A FREQUENCY MATCHING THAT OF THE BLINKING TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE TURN INDICATOR IS ON, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THE BRAKE SIGNAL THROUGH THE MODULE MAY CANCEL OUT THE TURN SIGNAL TEMPORARILY OR CAUSE IT TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE CONFUSION TO VEHICLES BEHIND THE BUS AS TO WHETHER THE BUS IS TURNING OR STOPPING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE-TURN SIGNAL SEPARATOR MODULE, IF THE BUS IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850 EXT. 424.

Reported: 2010-09-28 (September 28, 2010)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 SUPER BANTAM AND GRAND BANTAM AND MID BUS SUPER GUIDE AND GRAND GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND CHEVROLET PLATFORMS FROM MARCH 31, 2008 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) 000290 LED LIGHT KITS. A CHANGE TO THE WIRE USED IN THE LED LIGHT KITS MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LIFE OF THE LIGHTS USED ON THE STOP ARMS. THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: SHOULD THE LED LIGHTS STOP FUNCTIONING, VISIBILITY OF A STOPPED BUS WOULD BE DECREASED, INCREASING THE RISK THAT A CHILD OR OTHER PEDESTRIAN WITHIN VICINITY OF THE STOPPED BUS COULD BE STRUCK BY A PASSING VEHICLE.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LIGHT KITS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2011-05-23 (May 23, 2011)

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2011 BANTAM, GRAND BANTAM, AND SUPER BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2002 THROUGH MAY 20, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE LEG PROTECTION ZONE IMPACT REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 222 "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND MAY SUSTAIN INJURIES.

Remedy: COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL FOAM PADDING UNDER THE UPHOLSTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS BUS AT 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2013-09-25 (September 25, 2013)

Collins Bus Corporation (Collins) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Bantam, Super Bantam, Grand Bantam, Mid Bus Guide, Super Guide, and Grand Guide school buses manufactured September 2009 through April 2010, and equipped with A&M Systems-brand electric door actuators. Voltage spikes may damage electrical components and electrical circuits, causing the circuit board to develop high resistance.

Consequence: High resistance may cause the board to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Collins will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the circuit board free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2013. Owners may contact Collins at 1-800-533-1850.

Reported: 2014-09-26 (September 26, 2014)

Collins Bus Corporation (Collins) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Collins and Mid Bus Super Bantam, Grand Bantam, Super Guide, Grand Guide, DE416WR, DH416WR, and DE516WR school buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to June 16, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Collins will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental platform support bumper kit. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The began on December 15, 2014. Owners may contact Collins customer service at 1-800-533-1850 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.