2009 Glaval Bus APOLLO: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2009-10-28 (October 28, 2009)

GLAVAL BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2009 TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH LUMINATOR HORIZON LED SIDE DESTINATION SIGNS. THE CONNECTOR BOARD CAN CORRODE DUE TO AN ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE UNDER THE CONNECTOR.

Consequence: A SHORT COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY CAUSING SMOKE AND FIRE.

Remedy: GLAVAL BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LUMINATOR WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE LUMINATOR'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-054. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LUMINATOR AT 1-972-516-3033 OR GLAVAL BUS AT 1-574-262-2212.

Reported: 2009-10-30 (October 30, 2009)

GLAVAL BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH TRANS/AIR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. EACH TRANS/AIR SYSTEM COMES WITH AN ELECTRICAL KIT AND EC PC BOARD WHICH IF IMPROPERLY INSTALLED COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE RELAY BOARD, CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND POSE A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy: GLAVAL BUS WILL NOTIFY THE OWNER AND THE BUS WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED BY TRANS/AIR. PLEASE ALSO SEE TRANS/AIR DEFECT REPORT 09E-042. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRANS/AIR WARRANT AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-673-2448.

Reported: 2010-04-12 (April 12, 2010)

GLAVAL BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 UNIVERSAL, TITAN, TITAN II, PRIMETIME, SPORT, AND APOLLO TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2007 AND DECEMBER 2009 FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy: GLAVAL BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE PERFORMING 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 BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR GLAVAL BUS AT 1-800-322-2884.

Reported: 2010-04-12 (April 12, 2010)

GLAVAL BUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 2007 THROUGH DECEMBER 2009, EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" SWITCH BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND 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: GLAVAL BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. A SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, 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 AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR GLAVAL BUS AT 1-800-322-2884.

Reported: 2012-01-13 (January 13, 2012)

GLAVAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2007 TRANSIT BUSES BUILT ON FORD, GMC, CHEVROLET, AND FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS 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: GLAVAL 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 14, 2012. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-348-7440.

Reported: 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)

GLAVAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN CENTURY-2 AND/OR 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: GLAVAL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GLAVAL BUS AT 1-800-347-7440.

Reported: 2012-12-10 (December 10, 2012)

Glaval Bus is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 transit buses, models: Entourage, Sport, Universal, Titan, Titan II, Apollo, Primetime, and Concord; and manufactured January 1, 2007, through December 3, 2012. The buses are equipped with a Ricon manufactured wheelchair lift which has an optional armored pendant cable. The cable may have been installed such that it doesn't clear the wheelchair lift and without a protective cover, or a misinstalled protective cover.

Consequence: The cable may contact the power lug at the base of the wheel chair lift causing a short circuit that could result in a fire.

Remedy: Glaval Bus will notify owners and direct them to contact Ricon. Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. The recall campaign began on January 23, 2013. Owners may contact Glaval Bus at 1-574-262-2212 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.

Reported: 2013-10-18 (October 18, 2013)

Glaval Bus is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Entourage, Sport, Universal, Titan, Titan II, Apollo, Primetime, Concorde, and Concorde II transit buses manufactured August 4, 2009, through June 7, 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: Glaval Bus will notify owners and dealers will replace the circuit board, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2013. Owners may contact Glaval Bus at 1-574-262-2212.

Reported: 2014-04-30 (April 30, 2014)

Glaval Bus (Glaval) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Universal, Primetime, Sport, Concorde, Titan, Titan II, Entourage and Apollo transit buses manufactured January 1, 2007, through December 3, 2012, and equipped with certain Ricon S-series and K-series wheelchair lifts, with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.

Consequence: If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, then a short circuit may occur that could result in a fire.

Remedy: Glaval will notify owners, and Ricon will send owners a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2014. Owners may contact Glaval customer service at 1-800-445-2824 or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Reported: 2016-04-14 (April 14, 2016)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2008-2016 Glaval Bus Apollo, Concorde II, Entourage, Legacy, Primetime, Sport, Titan, Titan II, and Titan II Low Floor transit buses manufactured from August 1, 2008, through March 6, 2016. The labels on the rear emergency exit window are not located within 16 centimeters of the release mechanisms as required. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence: If the label is not located the correct distance from the mechanism, it may hinder an occupant's ability to open the emergency window and escape from the vehicle quickly in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and provide a new label along with instructions for the correct placement of the label on the window. The label and instructions will be provided free of charge. The recall began on June 9, 2016. Owners may contact Glaval Bus customer service at 1-574-642-3112. Forest River's number for this campaign is 35-04112016-0168.