2008 Eldorado TRANSTECH: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2008-07-08 (July 8, 2008)

ELDORADO NATIONAL - KANSAS (ENK) IS RECALLING 1,258 MY 2005-2008 AERO ELITTE AEROLITE, AEROTECH, VERSA SHUTTLE, AND MY 2006-2008 TRANSTECH BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: ENK IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR ENK AT 1-800-850-1287.

Reported: 2008-11-24 (November 24, 2008)

ELDORADO NATIONAL (ENK) IS RECALLING 850 MY 2005-2008 AERO ELITE, AEROLITE, AEROTECH, AND MY 2006-2008 TRANSTECH BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: ENK IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR ENK AT 1-800-850-1287.

Reported: 2009-01-15 (January 15, 2009)

ELDORADO NATIONAL - KANSAS (ENK) IS RECALLING 730 MY 2008-2009 AERO ELITE, AEROLITE, AEROTECH, TRANSTECH, AND VERSA SHUTTLE BUSES. SOME BUSES WERE BUILT WITH DRIVELINE FASTENERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence: IF NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY, THE FASTENERS COULD COME LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUSES AND IF THE TORQUE VALUES FOR THE DRIVELINE FASTENERS ARE FOUND TO BE OUT OF TOLERANCE, THE FASTENERS WILL BE ADJUSTED TO BRING THEIR TORQUE VALUE INTO THE RECOMMENDED TOLERANCE RANGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ENK AT 1-800-850-1287.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 AEROTECH, AEROLITE, AERO ELITE, AND TRANS TECH BUSES EQUIPPED WITH GROTE INDUSTRIES LED LAMP MARKERS. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE LAMP HOUSING WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE LAMPS, INCLUDING OVERHEATING, MELTING, AND, POTENTIALLY, A FIRE.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LED MARKER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ELDORADO NATIONAL AT 1-800-955-9086.

Reported: 2010-07-27 (July 27, 2010)

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 AERO ELITE, AEROLITE, AEROTECH, TRANSTECH, AND VERSA SHUTTLE MOTORHOMES FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WERE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A RESTRAINT BUCKLE THAT HAS AN INTERLOCK FEATURE DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM OPERATING IF THE BUCKLE IS NOT LATCHED. IN THE RECALLED MOTORHOMES, HOWEVER, THE INTERLOCK FEATURE MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND THE LIFT MAY OPERATE EVEN WHEN THE BUCKLE IS NOT LATCHED.

Consequence: THE WHEELCHAIR MAY MOVE DURING LIFT OPERATION AND THE UNSECURED OCCUPANT, COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy: ELDORADO NATIONAL IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-322-2884, OR EMAIL AT [email protected].

Reported: 2010-07-27 (July 27, 2010)

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 AERO ELITE, AEROLITE, AEROTECH, TRANSTECH, AND VERSA SHUTTLE MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT UP FUNCTION, IF THE SWITCH IS RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND BEFORE STOPPING. THE CONTINUED UPWARD TRAVEL MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.

Consequence: WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy: ELDORADO NATIONAL IS WORKING WITH RICON AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-061. RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-322-2884, OR EMAILING AT [email protected].

Reported: 2010-08-06 (August 6, 2010)

ELDORADO NATIONAL - KANSAS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TRANSTECH BUSES. THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT WHEEL WELL PROFILE CUTOUT. THE SMALLER PROFILE RESULTS IN A REDUCED CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE WHEEL WELL RUBBER MOLDING ATTACHMENT SCREWS AND THE BUS' TIRES. THE ATTACHMENT SCREWS COULD RUB AGAINST THE BUS' TIRES RESULTING IN A TIRE FAILURE.

Consequence: A TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE CORRECT REAR WHEEL WELL PROFILE. IF A BUS IS FOUND TO HAVE THE INCORRECT PROFILE, THE WHEEL WELL OPENING WILL BE CUT TO THE CORRECT PROFILE TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE TO THE TIRE. ADDITIONALLY, NEW FASTENERS WILL BE INSTALLED ATTACHING THE WHEEL WELL RUBBER MOLDING. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ELDORADO NATIONAL- KANSAS AT 1-800-955-9086.

Reported: 2011-04-19 (April 19, 2011)

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 AEROTECH, AEROLITE, AERO ELITE, AND TRANSTECH BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2006, THROUGH MARCH 2011 AND 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: CARRIER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE RETROFIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 29, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741.

Reported: 2012-07-25 (July 25, 2012)

Eldorado National - Kansas (Eldorado) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Aerotech, Aerolite, Aero Elite, and Transtech buses equipped with Braun Century-2 and Vista-2 wheelchair lifts. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.

Consequence: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.

Remedy: Eldorado will notify owners, and dealers will repair vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2012. Owners may contact Eldorado at 1-800-955-9086 ot Braun at 1-800-488-0359.

Reported: 2014-09-30 (September 30, 2014)

Eldorado National-Kansas (Eldorado) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Aerotech, Aerolite, Aero Elite, Transtech, and Advantage coaches manufactured January 1, 2006, to September 26, 2014, and built on Ford E-350, E-450 and E-550 chassis, and Chevrolet 3500 and 4500 chassis, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. 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: Eldorado will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2014. Owners may contact Eldorado customer service at 1-800-955-9086 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

Reported: 2015-11-12 (November 12, 2015)

Eldorado National- Kansas (Eldorado) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Aerotech, AeroElite, Aerolite, Advantage, Transtech, and Krystal shuttle buses and model year 2006-2014 VersaShuttle shuttle buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Consequence: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Remedy: Eldorado will notify owners, and Ricon will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact Eldorado customer service at 1-785-827-1033, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These buses and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.