Investigations
Wheel Chair Lift Separates From Bus
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10001 - closed, opened 2010-01-14.
NHTSA investigation PE10001 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-01-14 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-04-09 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE10001 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI opened this investigation upon learning of two incidents where the wheel chair assembly broke through the side door while the motor coach was being operated. Both incidents resulted in property damage to parked vehic..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
ODI opened this investigation upon learning of two incidents where the wheel chair assembly broke through the side door while the motor coach was being operated. Both incidents resulted in property damage to parked vehicles. After further review, MCI decided to conduct a safety recall to resolve this issue. MCI will provide parts and labor to install a Ricon-designed retrofit kit that includes a spring-loaded lock mechanism. The additional lock mechanism will prevent unintended wheel chair lift deployment regardless of the cause. The population includes 1995 through 2009 D4000's, 1997 through 2010 D4500's, and 2005 through 2010 D4505 models. This resolves all issues concerning this investigation. This investigation is closed.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.