2013 Ameritrans M2 Series recalls

Defect: Ameritrans Bus, Inc. (Ameritrans) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 shuttle buses manufactured August 1, 2012, to June 24, 2016, built on Ford E-350, E-450, and F-550 chassis, Dodge 5500 chassis, and Freightliner M2 chassis. These vehicles may be equipped with Tire and Loading Placards that are not applicable to vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.".

Why it matters: Use of the label on these vehicles may confuse the operator and may result in overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ameritrans will notify owners, and dealers will remove the Tire and Loading Placards, free of charge. The recall began on September 2, 2016. Owners may contact Ameritrans Customer Service Department at 1-574-218-4786.

Owner notification: September 2, 2016 · Filing manufacturer: Ameritrans Bus, Inc.

Defect: Ameritrans Bus, Inc. (Ameritrans) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford E Series shuttle buses built on E150, E250, E350, and E450, and Freightliner M2 Series shuttle buses manufactured August 1, 2012, to July 10, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Why it matters: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Ameritrans will notify owners to take the shuttle buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2015. Owners may contact Ameritrans customer service at 1-574-262-8935 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

Owner notification: January 5, 2015 · Filing manufacturer: Ameritrans Bus, Inc.

Defect: Ameritrans Bus, Inc. is recalling one model year 2013 M2-Series bus equipped with a Ricon wheelchair lift with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.

Why it matters: If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, then a short circuit may occur that could result in a fire.

Ameritrans will notify the owner and Ricon will send the owner a supplemental cover kit and instructions free of charge. The recall began during July 2013. More information van ve obtained by contacting Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Owner notification: July 1, 2013 · Filing manufacturer: Ameritrans Bus, Inc.