2009 Collins Bantam, 2009 Collins Grand Bantam, 2009 Collins Super Bantam Recall: Exterior Lighting

The defect

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 BANTAM, SUPER BANTAM, AND GRAND BANTAM SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND OCTOBER 1, 2009, BUILT ON FORD CUTAWAY CHASSIS. THE BRAKE-TURN SEPARATOR MODULE WHICH IS USED TO CONTROL THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS IN THE REAR MAY NOT ALWAYS DISTINGUISH CORRECTLY BETWEEN A BRAKE SIGNAL INPUT AND A TURN SIGNAL INPUT FROM THE FORD CHASSIS OEM WIRING. FOR TYPICAL BRAKE AND TURN SIGNAL OPERATION, THE STOP/TAIL/TURN LIGHTS AT THE REAR OF THE BUS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY. HOWEVER, IF THE BRAKES ARE PUMPED/APPLIED IN A FREQUENCY MATCHING THAT OF THE BLINKING TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE TURN INDICATOR IS ON, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT THE BRAKE SIGNAL THROUGH THE MODULE MAY CANCEL OUT THE TURN SIGNAL TEMPORARILY OR CAUSE IT TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY.

The risk

THIS CAN CAUSE CONFUSION TO VEHICLES BEHIND THE BUS AS TO WHETHER THE BUS IS TURNING OR STOPPING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE-TURN SIGNAL SEPARATOR MODULE, IF THE BUS IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850 EXT. 424.

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .