2006 Us Bus UNIVERSE: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2006-10-31 (October 31, 2006)

CERTAIN 1998 THROUGH 2006 UNIVERSE AND STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1998 AND OCTOBER 23, 2006. THE LABEL EXPLAINING CROSSVIEW MIRROR USE IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE SEATED DRIVER WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 111, REARVIEW MIRRORS.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO REDUCE DEATHS AND INJURIES THAT OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR VIEW TO THE REAR.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL A REPLACEMENT LABEL ALONG WITH PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2007-02-15 (February 15, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2005 AND 2006 U.S. BUS UNIVERSE AND STURDIBUS SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005, AND SEPTEMBER 1, 2006. THESE BUSES DO NOT HAVE THE TIRE AND LOADING DECAL WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE SELECTION TO PREVENT OVERLOADING.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL MAIL LABELS ALONG WITH PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.

Reported: 2007-04-18 (April 18, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2006 STURDIBUS AND UNIVERSE SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON 2000 AND 5000 SERIES WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THE DEFECT INVOLVES THE INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM IN THE LIFT NOT DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER (EITHER WHEELCHAIR OR STANDEE) ON THE RICON WHEELCHAIR PLATFORM LIFT WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE WHEELCHAIR'S OCCUPANT. ALSO, ANYONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE AND FALL, RESULTING IN INJURY.

Remedy: U.S. BUS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E101). THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984 OR RICON AT 800-322-2884.

Reported: 2007-05-28 (May 28, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2006 AND 2007 U.S. BUS STURDIBUS, UNIVERSE, AND SAFE TRAN SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERMOTIVE LIFT INTERLOCK DEVICE MODULE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2006, AND MAY 9, 2007. WHEN THE VEHICLE BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS TO 7.5 VOLTS, THE MODULE MAY GO TO A FAULT MODE AND NOT LOCK THE SHIFTER IN PARK WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY BE MOVED WITH THE LIFT DEPLOYED AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE LIFT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: U.S. BUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT U.S. BUS AT 765-939-3984.