Comm-Trans Recalls Certain ADA Conversion Vans

Vehicle Make / Model:		Model Year(s):
FORD / E-150		2007-2009
FORD / E-250		2007-2009
FORD / E-350		2007-2009
Manufacturer: COMM-TRANS		Mfr’s Report Date: APR 02, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V151000		N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 65

Summary: COMM-TRANS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ADA CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON FORD E-150, E-250, AND E-350 CHASSIS BETWEEN DECEMBER 7, 2007 AND DECEMBER 23, 2009 AND FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy: COMM-TRANS IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE PERFORMING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON’S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR COMM-TRANS AT 1-901-726-9394.

Notes: 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .