2006 Corbeil Minibus Recall: CERTAIN CORBEIL MINIBUS SCHOOL, MFSAB, AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED…

The defect

CERTAIN CORBEIL MINIBUS SCHOOL, MFSAB, AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 1 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH RICON SERIES 2000 OR 5500 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE LIFT INNER BARRIER INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER ON THE INNER BARRIER AND ALLOW THE PLATFORM TO MOVE DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH BELOW FLOOR LEVEL WHILE OCCUPIED.

The risk

IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM IF THE USER IS BACKING ONTO THE LIFT FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAS THE SMALL FRONT WHEELS FULLY OR PARTIALLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. A PERSON STANDING COULD LOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE IF THEY WERE POSITIONED FULLY OR PARTLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM IS LOWERED. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

The fix — what to do

LES ENTREPRISES (CORBEIL) IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E101). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 22, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT RICON CORPORATION AT 1-800-322-2884 OR CORBEIL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-439-3577 EXT. 260.

CORBEIL RECALL NO. W0077.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.