2000 New Flyer D60LF: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-09-15 (September 15, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE REAR BRAKE RELEASE TIME CAN EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence: A SLOW BRAKE RELEASE CAN CAUSE PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THE CENTER AXLE AND REAR AXLE BRAKE CONTROL LINES WILL BE RE-PLUMBED.

Reported: 2001-04-30 (April 30, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Consequence: WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. THE AFFECTED EQUALIZERS WILL BE REPLACED BY VANNER. NEW FLYER IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VANNER AT 1-800-227-6937 OR NEW FLYER AT 1-204-982-8413.

Reported: 2002-02-14 (February 14, 2002)

ON CERTAIN LOW FLOOR TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH ADHESIVELY BONDED ALUMINUM BUS DOOR PANELS, DUE TO AN IMPERFECT BONDING OF THE DOOR PANEL SKIN TO THE PANEL FRAME, ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE MAY INFILTRATE REGIONS OF IMPERFECT BONDING AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE FRAME AND DOOR PANEL.

Consequence: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IF THE PANEL IS SEPARATING OR HAS SEPARATED, A PASSENGER COULD FALL FROM THE BUS ONTO THE ROADWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: VAPOR WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR BUSES INSPECTED AND WILL INSTALL MECHANICAL FASTENERS TO ATTACH THE SKINS TO THE FRAME ELEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VAPOR CORPORATION AT 847-967-8300 OR NEW FLYER AT 1-204-224-1251.

Reported: 2007-02-23 (February 23, 2007)

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE FLASHING DECELERATION LAMPS WERE AN OPTIONAL ITEM FOR SOME OF THESE BUSES.

Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THE DECELERATION LAMP IS A SOLID LIGHT RATHER THAN A FLASHING LIGHT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWIRE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO REMOVE THE FLASHING FUNCTION OR INSTALL A NEW PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER (PLC) WHICH WILL MAKE THE LAMPS BURN STEADY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NEW FLYER AT 204-934-4874.