RoadVitals

1996 Am-Tran RS3505 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.
4
Newest May 15, 1998
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.
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Recall campaigns

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

98V106000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

May 15, 1998
13,422 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICES (FUSES OR CIRCUIT BREAKERS) ALLOWING THE HEADLAMPS, DURING HIGH BEAM OPERATION, TO IMPOSE TOO MUCH LOAD CAUSING THE PROTECTION DEVICE TO OPEN THE CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF THE HEAD LIGHTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT AND INSTRUCTIONS TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96V221000

PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:AIR

Nov 4, 1996
194 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AIR/SPRING ACTUATED PARKING BRAKE CHAMBERS MANUFACTURED BY MIDLAND (DATE CODE 145B6K) WERE FILLED WITH THE WRONG LUBRICATION. THE IMPROPER LUBRICANT CAUSES THE SEALS WITHIN THE CHAMBER TO FAIL AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF AIR. IF AIR PRESSURE DROPS TO 55 PSI THE SPRING WITHIN THE CHAMBER WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
The risk: IF AIR PRESSURE DROPS BELOW 55 PSI AND THE OPERATOR DOES NOT HEED THE LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING AND CONTINUES TO DRIVE, THE PARKING BRAKE WILL APPLY. THIS CAN CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE LINING TO OVERHEAT AND PREMATURELY WEAR. WHEN THE BUS IS PARKED AND THE BRAKE APPLIED, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
The remedy: DEALERS (OR OWNERS) WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CHAMBERS FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODE. IF THE CHAMBER HAS THIS CODE, THE PARKING BRAKE CHAMBER WILL BE REPLACED.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96V134000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Jul 16, 1996
488 units potentially affected
The defect: THE REAR WINDOW BUZZER DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE BUZZER SWITCH DOES NOT ACTIVATE AND/OR THE WINDOW IS NOT CLOSED WHEN THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ALERTED THAT THE REAR WINDOW IS UNLATCHED UNTIL THE WINDOW IS PHYSICALLY OPENED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WINDOW BUZZER SWITCH.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
96V047000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Mar 11, 1996
34,900 units potentially affected
The defect: PASSENGER'S CLOTHING CAN UNKNOWINGLY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE HANDRAILS AT BUS DOORS WHEN EXITING THE BUS.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: REPLACE OR REPOSITION THE HANDRAILS TO STOP CLOTHING FROM BEING CAUGHT. REPLACE FOAM PAD AND INSTALL 1" THICK RUBBER SPACER BETWEEN THE BRACE AND THE WALL.
AMERICAN TRANSPORTATION CORP.View 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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources