2006 Glaval TITAN: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2006-03-09 (March 9, 2006)

ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS, THE T-NUT WHICH HOLDS THE SEAT LEG TO THE FLOOR TRACK IS MISSING MACHINED BEVELS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, WITHOUT THE BEVELS, THE SHARP EDGE COULD COME THROUGH THE FLOOR TRACK INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY PARTS TO REPLACE THE T-NUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GLAVAL BUS AT 1-800-445-2825.

Reported: 2006-08-07 (August 7, 2006)

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES, BUILT ON FORD, FREIGHTLINER, AND GENERAL MOTORS CHASSIS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE SEATS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS MAY HAVE BEEN BOLTED TO THE BUS STRUCTURE INCORRECTLY.

Consequence: AN OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY WEARING A SEAT BELT MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY PARTS TO CORRECTLY FASTEN THE SEATS TO THE BUS STRUCTURE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GLAVAL BUS AT 1-800-445-2824.

Reported: 2007-03-01 (March 1, 2007)

CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE INNER BARRIER INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT BASEPLATE MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE BARRIER AND CAN ALLOW THE PLATFORM TO MOVE DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH BELOW FLOOR LEVEL WHEN OCCUPIED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM IF THE USER IS BACKING ONTO THE LIFT FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAS THE SMALL FRONT WHEELS FULLY OR PARTIALLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. A PERSON STANDING COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE IF THEY WERE POSITIONED FULLY OR PARTLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: GLAVAL BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THESE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 06E101). OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 800-322-2884 OR GLAVAL BUS AT 574-262-2212.

Reported: 2008-01-20 (January 20, 2008)

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN PLATFORM LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." A PASSENGER CAN APPROACH THE EXPOSED LIFT DOORWAY WITHOUT THE AUDIBLE ALARM ALERTING THEM OF THEIR PROXIMITY TO THE THRESHOLD.

Consequence: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: GLAVAL IS WORKING WITH BRAUN CORPORATION TO HAVE THE DOORWAY LIFT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E094). OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN CORPORATION AT 1-800-946-7513 OR GLAVAL AT 1-574-262-2212.

Reported: 2008-09-24 (September 24, 2008)

GLAVAL BUS IS RECALLING 171MY 2005-2006 UNIVERSAL, PRIMETIME, TITAN, AND APOLLO TRANSIT AND SHUTTLE 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: GLAVAL BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR GLAVAL BUS AT 1-574-262-2212.

Reported: 2009-03-20 (March 20, 2009)

ATLANTIC BUS SALES IS RECALLING 110 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON MY 2006 AND 2007 ELDORADO AND GLAVAL TRANSIT BUSES. THESE VEHICLES 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: ATLANTIC BUS SALES 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 ATLANTIC BUS SALES AT 1-954-941-7722.

Reported: 2009-03-20 (March 20, 2009)

ATLANTIC BUS SALES IS RECALLING 42 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFTS WHICH IT INSTALLED ON CERTAIN MY 2006 AND 2007 ELDORADO AND GLAVAL TRANSIT BUSES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN 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: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: ATLANTIC BUS SALES 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 ATLANTIC BUS SALES AT 1-954-941-7722.

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: 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: 2010-11-23 (November 23, 2010)

GLAVAL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, AND 2008 FORD E350/E450 UNIVERSAL, CHEVY/GMC 4500/5500 TITAN AND FREIGHTLINER MB-55 APOLLO TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1999 THROUGH JULY 2007, AND EQUIPPED WITH A TRANS/AIR TA73 EVAPORATOR. THE EVAPORATOR UTILIZES A POWER RESISTOR TO REGULATE BLOWER SPEED. SHOULD A SHORT OCCUR IN THE "LOW OR MEDIUM SPEED" CIRCUIT WHILE THE BLOWER IS IN HIGH SPEED, THE SHORT WILL CAUSE THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE TO FEEDBACK THROUGH THE RESISTOR TO GROUND, NOT DRAWING ENOUGH CURRENT TO TRIP THE FUSE.

Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE THE RESISTOR TEMPERATURE TO RISE TO A POINT WHERE IT WILL MELT AND POSSIBLY IGNITE THE PLASTIC BLOWER HOUSING TO WHICH IT IS MOUNTED. THE OVERHEATING CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: GLAVAL IN COOPERATION WITH TRANS AIR WILL INSTALL A THERMAL SHUTDOWN DEVICE IN SERIES WITH THE SPEED RESISTORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRANS AIR WARRANTY AND SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-673-2446.

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

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Glaval Universal, Primetime, Sport, Titan, and Titan II transit and shuttle buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to September 26, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon. 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: Forest River 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 December 1, 2014. Owners may contact Glaval customer service at 1-800-445-2825 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.