RoadVitals

1998 Am-Tran Re Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Newest Jan 2, 2004
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

7 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

04V012000

VISIBILITY

Jan 2, 2004
52 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN COMMERCIAL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH T-SLIDE OVAL WINDOWS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXITS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." INCORRECT SIDE EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOWS WERE INSTALLED.
The risk: PASSENGERS COULD BE PREVENTED FROM EXITING THE BUS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDOWS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 18, 2003. 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 1-800-843-5615.
IC CORPORATIONManufacturer number 03307View on NHTSA.gov
03V354000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Sep 23, 2003
66,749 units potentially affected
The defect: CE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. THE ROOF TOP SHEET MAY BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED, REDUCING THE MATERIAL EDGE DISTANCE AT THE RIVET LINE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE JOINT STRENGHT COULD FAIL POSSIBILY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL PROVIDE INSPECTION AND REPAIR INSTRUCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. 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 IC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT (WE DO NOT YET HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.)
IC CORPORATIONManufacturer number 03305View on NHTSA.gov
01V241000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Nov 20, 2001
11,944 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES WERE BUILT WITH A POOR QUALITY HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER SWITCH. IN SOME CASES THIS HAS CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE HEATER HARNESS CONNECTOR AT THE SWITCH TERMINALS OR THE HIGH-SPEED WIRE INSULATION AT THE CONNECTOR. ALSO, SOME OF THE UNITS HAD IMPROPER CIRCUIT PROTECTION SIZE INSTALLED IN THE HEATER DEFROSTER CIRCUIT.
The risk: IF AN OPERATOR DETECTS SMOKE OR THE SMELL OF MELTING WIRE INSULATION FROM THE BLOWER CONTROL PANEL, THE OPERATION OF THE HEATER/DEFROSTER AT HIGH SPEED SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED UNTIL THE REPAIR IS MADE.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND SWITCH HARNESS WITH A NEW SWITCH, SWITCH HARNESS, RELAY AND RELAY HARNESS. FOR THE RE UNITS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1999, THE KIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A 20-AMPERE MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 800-843-5615.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
01V057000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Feb 23, 2001
554 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. SOME CERTIFICATION LABELS DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRE SPECIFIED TO MEET THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE FRONT AND/OR REAR AXLES. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," AND 49 CFR PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."
The risk: UNDER OR OVER-INFLATED TIRES CAN CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN BLOWOUT OR OTHER FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: NEW CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE BEING PROVIDED TO OWNERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE CERTIFICATION LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-993-7686.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
00V232101

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Aug 21, 2000
6,259 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH BENDIX AIR ABS WITH AN EC-17 1030R ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSED BY 1) CHAFED ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRES ON ROTATING PARTS OR 2) A DAMAGED COMPONENT AT THE WHEEL END THAT GENERATES A CERTAIN TYPE OF ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINEManufacturer number 00508View on NHTSA.gov
99V146000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Jun 14, 1999
1,591 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. SOME REAR EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOWS DO NOT MEET THE VERTICAL OPENING REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED BY FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY THE DEFECT AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. IF THE OWNER PREFERS, AN AMTRAN DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.Manufacturer number 99-305View on NHTSA.gov
99V061000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

Mar 23, 1999
7,738 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH FLIP SEATS AT THE EMERGENCY EXITS. THE SEAT CUSHION HINGE ON THE COMBINATION FLIP SEAT IS LOCATED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT IS WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT LOCATED BEHIND THE COMBO FLIP SEAT.
The risk: THE HINGES ON THE COMBO FLIP SEAT CAN CAUSE A PINCHING CONDITION, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND SENT KITS TO REMEDY THESE SEATS.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.Manufacturer number 99-303View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

PE03023ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING SHAFT BOLT BINDS ON COVER

Opened Jun 4, 2003
Closed Aug 20, 2003

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SCHOOL BUS FLEET ALLEGING THAT A BUS DRIVER COULD NOT STEER WHILE ATTEMPING TO MAKE A TURN.A SECOND FLEET CONTACTED ODI AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ODI EXAMINED THE BUSES AND FOUND THE STEERING BOOT GETS TWISTED AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT, CREATING HIGHSTEERING WHEELEFFORTS WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. AS A RESULT OF THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, INTERNATIONAL HAS AGREED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN AND CORRECT THIS CONDITION ON 24,134 BUSES BUILT FROM 10/29/93 THROUGH 5/21/03.THE ACTION TAKEN BY INTERNATIONAL IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. CAMPAIGN NUMBER ASSIGNED IS 03V-264. A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL IS ATTACHED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

STEERING:COLUMNLed to recall 03V264000

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources