1998 AMTRAN RE Recalls
Item Affected: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
Date Announced: 08/21/2000
Description of Recall: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Conequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Action Need To Fix It: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATINAL AT 1-800-448-7825. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Item Affected: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Date Announced: 02/23/2001
Description of Recall: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. SOME CERTIFICATION LABELS DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRE SPECIFIED TO MEET THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE FRONT AND/OR REAR AXLES. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," AND 49 CFR PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
Conequence: UNDER OR OVER-INFLATED TIRES CAN CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN BLOWOUT OR OTHER FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Action Need To Fix It: NEW CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE BEING PROVIDED TO OWNERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE CERTIFICATION LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-993-7686.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Item Affected: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:BLOWER
Date Announced: 11/20/2001
Description of Recall: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES WERE BUILT WITH A POOR QUALITY HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER SWITCH. IN SOME CASES THIS HAS CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE HEATER HARNESS CONNECTOR AT THE SWITCH TERMINALS OR THE HIGH-SPEED WIRE INSULATION AT THE CONNECTOR. ALSO, SOME OF THE UNITS HAD IMPROPER CIRCUIT PROTECTION SIZE INSTALLED IN THE HEATER DEFROSTER CIRCUIT.
Conequence: IF AN OPERATOR DETECTS SMOKE OR THE SMELL OF MELTING WIRE INSULATION FROM THE BLOWER CONTROL PANEL, THE OPERATION OF THE HEATER/DEFROSTER AT HIGH SPEED SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED UNTIL THE REPAIR IS MADE.
Action Need To Fix It: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND SWITCH HARNESS WITH A NEW SWITCH, SWITCH HARNESS, RELAY AND RELAY HARNESS. FOR THE RE UNITS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1999, THE KIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A 20-AMPERE MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 800-843-5615.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION=S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Item Affected: STRUCTURE:BODY
Date Announced: 09/23/2003
Description of Recall: CE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. THE ROOF TOP SHEET MAY BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED, REDUCING THE MATERIAL EDGE DISTANCE AT THE RIVET LINE.
Conequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE JOINT STRENGHT COULD FAIL POSSIBILY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Action Need To Fix It: IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL PROVIDE INSPECTION AND REPAIR INSTRUCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT IC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT (WE DO NOT YET HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.)
Notes: IC RECALL NO. 03305. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Item Affected: VISIBILITY
Date Announced: 01/02/2004
Description of Recall: CERTAIN COMMERCIAL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH T-SLIDE OVAL WINDOWS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." INCORRECT SIDE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOWS WERE INSTALLED.
Conequence: PASSENGERS COULD BE PREVENTED FROM EXITING THE BUS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Action Need To Fix It: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDOWS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 18, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-843-5615.
Notes: IC RECALL NO. 03307. CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Item Affected: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Date Announced: 06/14/1999
Description of Recall: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. SOME REAR EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOWS DO NOT MEET THE VERTICAL OPENING REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED BY FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
Conequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Action Need To Fix It: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY THE DEFECT AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. IF THE OWNER PREFERS, AN AMTRAN DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 6, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-993-7686. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
