NHTSA Recall 09V345000
Filed by Motor Coach Industries, Inc. Component: Structure. Reported 2009-09-02. An estimated 352 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
MCI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 G4500 MOTOR COACHES EQUIPPED WITH WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. IF THE UPPER WHEELCHAIR DOOR OPENS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE DOOR'S LATCHES, THERE IS A TELLTALE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT ILLUMINATES TO ALERT THE DRIVER THAT THE UPPER WHEELCHAIR DOOR IS NOT FULLY LATCHED AND CLOSED, HOWEVER THE DRIVER COULD FAIL TO NOTICE THAT THIS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE WHEELCHAIR DOOR SLIDING OPEN WITHOUT FURTHER WARNING AND EXPOSE PASSENGERS TO THE RISK OF FALLING FROM THE COACH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
What the manufacturer will do
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN AUDIBLE ALARM IN THE DRIVER'S AREA TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL ALERT IN THE EVENT THE DOOR IS NOT FULLY CLOSED AND LATCHED, AND WILL REINFORCE THE UPPER LATCH TO IMPROVE ITS DURABILITY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MCI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT 1-800-241-2947.
Notes
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> .