Equipment adaptive / mobility Elkhart, Glaval Bus, Starcraft Bus recall

The problem

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Glaval Universal, Primetime, Sport, Titan, Titan II, Entourage, Legacy transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to April 29, 2016, 2015-2016 Elkhart ECE3, ECE4, ECG4 transit buses manufactured October 24, 2014, to September 9, 2015, and 2006-2016 Starcraft Bus Allstar, Allstar XL, Starlite, Quest, Quest XL, and StarTrans Senator II, Senator II HD, and PS/2 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to April 29, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

The risk

If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix

Forest River will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River's customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Ricon customer service at 1-818-267-3000. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-05132016-0197.

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

1. 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.
2. Call a dealer. Any authorized Elkhart, Glaval Bus, Starcraft Bus dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 16V386000.
3. Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
4. Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.