The problem
Certain school buses equipped with an optional between-the-frame mounted fuel tanks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 301, "Fuel system integrity." These buses were built with the wrong crossmember. The crossmember installed was not of the same strength that was used in the certification of the fuel system to fmvss no. 301.
The risk
Failure of the crossmember during a crash could reduce the effectiveness of the integrity of the fuel system allowing leakage that exceeds regulation requirements. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix
Dealers will install a new crossmember. Owner notification began july 29, 2002. 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.
Contacts
Amtran recall identification number 02-301. Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Amtran dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 02V173000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.