VAN HOOL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2011 TRANSIT BUSES AND MOTORCOACHES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2002 THROUGH OCTOBER 2010, EQUIPPED WITH HADLEY REMOTE MIRROR SWITCHES, PART NUMBERS 509VH AND 509VH1F. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE PLASTIC HOUSING TO MELT.
EXCESSIVE HEATING CAN CAUSE A FIRE RESULTING IN SMOKE, OPERATOR DISTRACTION, OR PERSONAL INJURY. AN OVERHEATED MIRROR SWITCH COULD CAUSE THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO NOT OPERATE. THE MIRRORS MAY NOT ADJUST PROPERLY FROM THE INTERIOR SWITCH OR OPERATE POORLY. THEREFORE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE FULL USE OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
VAN HOOL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS VIA ITS DEALER ABC BUS INC. OWNERS WILL HAVE THE CHOICE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR THEMSELVES OR TO TAKE THE VEHICLE(S) TO AN ABC-LOCATION FOR REPAIR, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR ABC BUS, INC. TOLL FREE AT 1-877-427-7278.
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> .