2006 Mid Bus GUIDE: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2006-09-27 (September 27, 2006)

CERTAIN MY 2001 THROUGH 2006 MID BUS GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND MAY 16, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH COLLINS 3 PASSENGER SEATS, FREEDMAN ACTIVITY SEATS, OR UNISTRUT TRACK SEATING WITH 2 PASSENGER SEATS. THE SEATS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE CORRECT HARDWARE INSTALLED ON THEM WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: PASSENGERS COULD SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HARDWARE ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MID BUS AT 1-877-358-6055.

Reported: 2007-03-08 (March 8, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2006 MID BUS GUIDE AND GUIDE XL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 6 AND OCTOBER 5, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH RICON 2000 AND 5500 SERIES WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THE LIFT'S INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEEL CHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE PLATFORM LIFT WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT 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 STANDEE COULD LOOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE IF THEY WERE POSITIONED FULLY OR PARTLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM IS LOWERED. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND IS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE SCHOOL BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON AT 818-267-3012 OR CONTACT MID BUS AT 877-358-6055.

Reported: 2007-05-17 (May 17, 2007)

CERTAIN MID BUS GUIDE AND GUIDE XL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 3, 2003, AND MARCH 30, 2007. THE 39" AND 45" LEFT HAND BARRIERS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE ENERGY ABSORPTION REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND THE SEVERITY OF INJURIES THAT RESULT FROM THE IMPACT OF SCHOOL BUS OCCUPANTS AGAINST STRUCTURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE DURING CRASHES AND SUDDEN MANEUVERS.

Remedy: MID BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MID BUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-877-358-6055.