2011 Startrans MFSAB: complaints, problems and recalls

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: 2011-12-02 (December 2, 2011)

STARTRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 MFSAB SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 14, 2010, THROUGH JUNE 7, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH C. E. WHITE SELF-LATCHING SEAT CUSHIONS. THE SELF-LATCHING MECHANISM USED TO RETAIN THE SEAT CUSHION TO THE FRAME MAY NOT ACTIVATE. ACCORDINGLY, THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD THE SEAT CUSHION FLIP UP OUT OF PLACE. ALSO, OUT OF POSITION SEAT CUSHIONS COULD INTERFERE WITH EMERGENCY EGRESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: STARTRANS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 16, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT STARTRANS AT 1-574-642-4730.

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.