2012 NABI 31LFW, 2008–2013 NABI 416 Recall: Affected vehicles may not be equipped with a transmission interlock that…

The defect

NABI Bus, LLC (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2012 31LFW transit buses manufactured April 28, 2012, to December 16, 2012, and 2008-2013 416 transit buses manufactured October 30, 2008, to February 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may not be equipped with a transmission interlock that prevents the wheelchair lift or ramp from being moved from the stowed position unless the transmission is in neutral. As such, the buses fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles."

The risk

If the wheelchair lift or ramp can be removed from the stowed position while the transmission is not in neutral, if the service brakes fail to hold the bus, the bus may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury to the wheelchair lift or ramp user.

The fix — what to do

NABI will notify owners, and dealers will install a new electrical program that prevents the lift or ramp from being moved from the stowed position unless the transmission is in neutral, free of charge. The recall began in November 2014. Owners may contact NABI customer service at 1-256-241-1298. NABI's number for this recall is 20146.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.