2009 Elkhart ECII: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-07-03 (July 3, 2009)

ELKHART COACH IS RECALLING 5 MY 2008 AND 2009 ECI AND ECII COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 26 AND NOVENBER 17, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH K410 AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER ASSEMBLIES SUPPLIED BY CARRIER. THE K410 UNIT IS INSTALLED ON THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE AND ITS COVER MAY NOT BE PROPERLY FASTENED BECAUSE OF A MECHANICAL INTERFERENCE.

Consequence: IF THE COVER FASTENERS FAIL TO SECURELY FASTEN THE COVER IN PLACE, IT MAY BECOME DETACHED DURING BUS OPERATION, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH OR CAUSE INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS.

Remedy: ELKHART COACH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND CARRIER WILL PROVIDE A FREE RETROFIT REPAIR KIT TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-673-2431 OR ELKHART COACH AT 1-574-264-5179.

Reported: 2009-10-16 (October 16, 2009)

ELKHART COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER K410 ROOFTOP CONDENSERS. INADEQUATE OVERCURRENT PROTECTION OF ONE OR MORE OF THE FANS IN THE K410 CONDENSER MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE FAN'S WIRES.

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE CONDENSER UNIT WIRES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: ELKHART COACH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED CARRIER DEALER TO OBTAIN THE REMEDY. PLEASE ALSO SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-055. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-673-2431.

Reported: 2012-01-06 (January 6, 2012)

ELKHART IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 ECI AND ECII VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2006, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, AND EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER GENV EM-1 EVAPORATOR UNITS (EM-1). 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 MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAME, SMOKE AND POTENTIAL FIRE.

Remedy: ELKHART 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 JANUARY 5, 2012. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-348-7440.

Reported: 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)

ELKHART COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN 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. A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP.

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: ELKHART WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-488-0359.

Reported: 2014-02-10 (February 10, 2014)

Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ECII transit buses manufactured August 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010, and equipped with A&M Systems-brand electric door actuators. Voltage spikes may damage electrical components and electrical circuits within the actuator, causing the circuit board to develop high resistance.

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

Remedy: Elkhart will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected circuit board, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Elkhart at 1-574-522-0246.

Reported: 2015-11-18 (November 18, 2015)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Elkhart ECII transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to September 26, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built 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: Forest River will notify owners, and Ricon dealers 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 16, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 574-264-5179 ext. 102 or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102015-0108. 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.