The problem
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
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.
Contacts
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.
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 Nabi dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 14V587000.
- 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.