The problem
On certain buses equipped with vapor bus connecting rods, when the connecting rod is subjected to certain load combinations and cumulative cycling, initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks are seen at the external thread roots. If the crack initiates and propagates through the cross section of the connecting rod, it may result in the bending or the connecting rod assembly and malfunction of the door actuation assembly.
The risk
If the crack propagates through the entire cross section of the connecting rod, the connecting rod may break and the associated door panel may be able to move freely in an uncontrolled manner, leaving passengers inside the bus unprotected by the door panel and possibly enabling a protruding door panel to strike persons or objects outside the bus.
The fix
Vapor bus is conducting this recall (please see 05e-030). All buses involved in this recall have been repaired.
Contacts
Customers 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 http://www.Safercar.Gov.
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 Champion dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 06V368000.
- 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.