Campaign 96V-046

Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus

Defect summary

PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.

Consequence

WHEN A PASSENGER'S CLOTHING BECOMES CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAIL, AND THE BUS DRIVER CLOSES THE DOOR AND PUTS THE VEHICLE IN MOTION,THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUBJECT TO BEING DRAGGED BY THE BUS. THIS CAN RESULT INSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT. IDENTIFY THE HANDRAIL APPLICATION. IF HANDRAIL EXTENDS FROM BARRIER TO STEP WELL, NO MODIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED. IF HANDRAIL EXTENDS FROM BARRIER TO INSIDE WALL, KIT MUST BE ORDERED AND NEW HANDRAIL INSTALLED WHEN RECEIVED.

Notes

SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; HANDRAILS AT BUS ENTRY WAYS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES WITH OUTWARD OPENING ENTRANCE DOORS. NOTE: 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 1-501-327-7761. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 96V046000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

2 product lines are covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about structure on these vehicles: 0, of which 0 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 96V-046
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Ward	Patriot	1986 to 1991	0
Ward	Volunteer	1986 to 1996	0

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

This recall followed an NHTSA defect investigation

RQ96001 RQ
Opened date not recorded, still open

99V-195 Jul 20, 1999
Vehicle description: school bus
98V-301 Dec 1, 1998
Vehicle description: school buses
98V-200 Aug 28, 1998
Vehicle description: school buses built with code g47aodm outward opening service door and code g47acdc or g47a5dc manual door control
97V-014 Feb 5, 1997
Certain clothing articles such as draw strings can become lodged in the forward handrails at the bus doors when a person is exiting the bus
96V-048 Mar 11, 1996
Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus
96V-047 Mar 11, 1996
Passenger's clothing can unknowingly become caught in the handrails at bus doors when exiting the bus