2009 Startrans MFSAB: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-05-21 (May 21, 2010)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 MFSAB MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2008 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010, EQUIPPED WITH FREEDMAN SEAT BARRIERS, P/NOS. 38764 AND 15198. THE BARRIER FOR LEG PROTECTION WAS BUILT USING THE WRONG GAUGE OF MATERIAL AND FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT(S) MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: STARTRANS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1-574-642-0810.

Reported: 2011-04-11 (April 11, 2011)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 MFSAB SCHOOL BUSES 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: STARTRANS 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 APRIL 18, 2011. (SEE CARRIER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN 11E-003.) OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-800-793-4741 OR STARTRANS AT 1-574-642-0810 OR 1-574-642-0096.

Reported: 2011-10-03 (October 3, 2011)

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 STARTRANS MFSAB SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DECAL ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH WARNS THE BUS OPERATOR TO USE THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS WHILE THE BUS IS STOPPED AND NOT TO USE THE CROSS VIEW MIRRORS WHILE THE BUS IS MOVING. ACCORDINGLY, THE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, "REARVIEW MIRRORS."

Consequence: IMAGES IN CROSS VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT ACCURATELY SHOW ANOTHER VEHICLE'S LOCATION, IMPROPER USE OF MIRRORS MAY REDUCE THE CLEAR AND REASONABLY UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW TO THE REAR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: STARTRANS WILL MAIL THE REQUIRED DECAL ALONG WITH DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO PLACE THE DECAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1- 877-258-1391.

Reported: 2011-11-09 (November 9, 2011)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2011 MODEL MFSAB SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES. THE REAR DOOR EMERGENCY EXIT IS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE BUS SEATS. ACCORDINGLY, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Consequence: EGRESS FROM THE BUS MAY BE HINDERED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE BUS OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: STARTRANS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1-877-258-1391.

Reported: 2012-04-27 (April 27, 2012)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2009 AND 2010 MFSAB SCHOOL BUSES, EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN 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: STARTRANS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1-574-642-0811.

Reported: 2013-02-28 (February 28, 2013)

Supreme Corporation (Supreme) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Startrans MFSAB school buses equipped with Ricon manufactured wheelchair lifts which have 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: Ricon will be conducting this recall on behalf of Supreme. Ricon will notify the affected owners and will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. The recall began on March 8, 2013. Owners may contact Supreme at 1-877-258-1391 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.

Reported: 2016-05-26 (May 26, 2016)

Supreme Corporation (Supreme) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 Startrans Activity Bus, Azure Hybrid, Candidate, Senator, Senator HD, Senator II, President, President S2, Sentinel Van, and Trolley shuttle buses manufactured May 9, 2008, to August 9, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the 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: Supreme will notify owners and advise them to contact Ricon, 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 June 29, 2016. Owners may contact Supreme customer service at 1-800-642-4889 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.