Investigation RQ15002: Vehicles

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Mar 18, 2015

Closed

Oct 16, 2015

Model years

—

Subject

Wheelchair lift platform failure

Component: Structure › Frame and members

Summary

On July 15, 2014, Ricon Corporation released safety recall 14E-041 to address lower pivot fatigue fractures in certain of its S-series wheel chair lifts.Ricon took this action after becoming aware of subject lift field failures including six involving school buses owned and operated by First Student (a school transport contractor) in Baltimore, MD.Ricon?s remedy in 14E-041 was the installation of an ?elastomeric bumper kit? (essentially a rubber bumper), designed to limit lift platform oscillation while in the stowed position. This RQ was opened when it became evident that lower pivot fatigue failures were continuing to occur on buses that had been remedied pursuant to 14E-041.On February 25, 2015, we were contacted by First Student, Baltimore regarding a recall remedy failure of a Ricon S-series wheelchair lift platform in three of its buses.We inspected those buses the following day and later, with Ricon staff.Subsequently the pivot bushing holes in the folding link arms were found to be larger than specified thus allowing the busing to withdraw and the lift to oscillate while stowed.This movement stressed the link arms near the pivot bushing hole causing them to crack.Since the remedy in 14E-041 was inadequate, Ricon decided to conduct a second recall (15E-068) to address the newly discovered root cause.With that recall, this RQ is closed.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.