Wheelchair ramp defect prompts school bus recall expansion

Posted on May 25, 2012

Several models of Thomas Built school buses have been recalled due to a potential wheelchair lift malfunction that can pose a fall hazard to handicapped commuters. This recall is voluntary, issued by Daimler Trucks of North America in response to a request from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it affects nearly 900 school buses. Certain model year 2007 through 2011 Thomas Built Minotour, Saf-T-Liner HDX, Saf-T-Liner C2, Saf-T-Liner EF school buses have been equipped with potentially defective Braun Century-2 or Vista-2 wheel chair lifts that may deteriorate with routine use. In the process of prolonged regular heavy use, the ramp’s outer barrier roll stop latches may become misshapen or bent. Wheelchairs may roll across these misaligned roll stop latches. If this situation occurs while the ramp is elevated, the wheelchair’s occupant may be at risk of a fall that could lead to serious injury. Owners of school buses affected by this recall, 890 by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates, will be notified by Daimler Trucks of North America of the potential safety issue created by the Braun or Vista wheel chair ramps in the near future. Consumers in possession of affected Thomas Built school buses may return them to authorized Braun dealers, where the wheel chair ramp will be repaired free of charge. More information on this recall can be obtained by contacting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline and referencing campaign identification number 12V225000.

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