- HOME
- ABOUT
- SUPPORT
- Warranty Registration Form
- Personal Mobility
- Dealer Room
- Technical Documents
- Online Service School
- Spare Parts Catalog
- Recalls & Service Campaigns
- Safety Recall 23E-091 – Threshold Warning System Kits
- Safety Recall 21E-068 – Baylift Plate
- Safety Recall 18E-044 – Titanium Cam
- Safety Recall 16E-020 – Knuckle Link Arm Extension
- Safety Recall 15E-068 – Knuckle Link Arm
- Safety Recall 14E-041 – Platform
- Safety Recall 09E-060 – Restraint Belt Buckle
- Safety Recall 09E-061 – PC Board (L Model)
- Safety Recall 07E-095 – Threshold Warning System (TWS)
- Safety Recall 07E-097 – Anti-Stow Interlock
- Safety Recall - Armored Cord
- PRODUCTS
- NEWS
- LINKS
- CONTACT
Restraint Belt Buckle
February 1, 2010
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Ricon has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in the Ricon wheelchair lift installed in your vehicles.! I M P O R T A N T !
- Ricon Wheelchair Lift are being recalled
- Contact Ricon Corporation immediately
WHAT IS BEING RECALLED:
This recall applies to all Public Use lift manufactured from December 1, 2007 to Dec 18, 2009 equipped with a restraint belt. This includes:
1). All DOT Public Use S and K Series wheelchair lifts
2). All DOT Public Use F9TF wheelchair lifts
WHY IS IT BEING RECALLED:
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. We have 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. Though it is incumbent on the operator to ensure that the belt is fully engaged and latched, failure to check this is within the realm of foreseeable misuse. This situation could cause personal injury.
WHAT VEHICLE MANUFACTURES MUST DO:
According to our records, affected units were purchased by your company. If those units were installed as original equipment on vehicles manufactured at your facility, and you agree that they contain a safety defect, your company must notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and conduct a safety recall. This notification to NHTSA must be made within 5 business days of when you decide your vehicles contain a safety defect or noncompliance. It is critical that the NHTSA guidelines are followed in a timely manner and that your customers are notified of the safety defect in the Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009 so they may inform and train operators on the proper use of the equipment. You may contact the NHTSA with questions by sending an email to rmd.odi@dot.gov.
To help you comply with your obligation to issue a safety recall of the vehicles that contain an affected Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009, we have attached samples of a dealer service bulletin and a sample letter to owners of potentially affected vehicles, along with a corresponding owner reply form, which should facilitate your notification to dealers and owners of the recall and the required repairs and service procedures. Although we have provided these samples to you for your convenience, you must submit drafts of your version of these notices to NHTSA for approval at least 5 days prior to mailing such notification to dealers and owners of potentially affected Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009.
Notification to dealers and distributors must be made by verifiable means such as certified mail, verifiable electronic means such as receipts or logs from electronic mail or satellite distribution system, or other more expeditious and verifiable means. Notifications to owners of potentially affected vehicles are by first class mail. Please be advised that the outside of each envelope containing an owner notification letter must be marked “SAFETY RECALL NOTICE” all in capital letters, either in boldface or underlined, and in type that is larger than that used in the address section. A sample of the envelope must be submitted to NHTSA for approval at least 5 business days before mailing to owners.
IMPORTANT: Some of the vehicles affected may still be in your inventory. Federal law requires you to complete the recall service on these vehicles before delivery. Ricon will provide replacement or repair for these units prior to delivery to your customers.
Ricon is prepared to assist you with all the materials, the mailings and reporting requirements of this recall. Larry McNutt, Ricon’s Customer Service Manager will assist you with anything you may require. He can be reached through Ricon Customer Service at (800)322-2884, Ext 3075, or by email, at LMcNutt@wabtec.com
WHAT RICON CORPORATION WILL DO:
Ricon will provide your customers with a warning a decal and a DVD-based training aid to promote the “Click and Tug” campaign. Ricon may provide other point of use materials to raise the awareness of the “Click and Tug”campaign.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions concerning these procedures please contact Ricon Customer Service at (800)322-2884, extension 3075 to speak to our Customer Service Manager, Larry McNutt or by email at LMcNutt@wabtec.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience this safety recall may cause, but your safety is our first concern.
