NHTSA Campaign 08V524000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Issued by MATTHEWS SPECIALTY VEHICLES · Reported Oct 8, 2008 · 8 vehicles affected

What's wrong

MATTHEWS IS RECALLING 8 MY 1998 BLUEBIRD, MY 2004 FORD E450, MY 2005-2006 THOMAS BUILT BUSES, MY 2006 INTERNATIONAL BUS, MY 2007 CHEVROLET 5500, FREIGHTLINER AND DODGE SPRINTER TRUCKS, TRANSIT BUSES, AND SPECIALTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATION IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

MATTHEWS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MATTHEWS SPECIALTY AT 336-297-9600.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
BLUEBIRD TC2000 1998 8
CHEVROLET 5500 2007 8
DODGE SPRINTER 2007 8
FORD E450 2004 8
FREIGHTLINER BOOK MOBILE 2007 8
INTERNATIONAL BUS 2006 8
THOMAS BUILT BUS 2005 8
THOMAS BUILT BUS 2006 8

Source: NHTSA Campaign 08V524000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.