VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS

Feb 07, 2001 — Recall Campaign #01V033001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 911 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

01V033001

Manufacturer:	NABI Bus, LLC
Recall date:	February 07, 2001
NHTSA Campaign #:	01V033001
Units affected:	911

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH VANNER 60 SERIES BATTERY EQUALIZERS. THE EQUALIZER COULD FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND CAUSE MALFUNCTION OF THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.
Consequeces:: WITHOUT FUSING, THE EQUALIZER MAY MELT, BURN, OR SMOKE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE OR A SMOKE FILLED BUS, THUS NECESSITATING A PASSENGER EVACUATION OF THE BUS. THE FAILURE MODE CAN CAUSE OPERATOR DISTRACTION, AND/OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
Corrective action:: NABI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO INSPECT THEIR BUSES FOR CERTAIN EQUALIZERS BY THE DATE CODE. THE AFFECTED EQUALIZERS WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2001. 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 NABI AT 1-256-831-4296 OR VANNER AT 1-800-227-6937.
Notes:: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

1998-1999 NABI TRANSIT BUS

1999 NABI TRANSIT BUS Complaints
I AM WRITING TO YOU ABOUT THE MARYLAND MTA BUSES. I WORK FOR THEM AND RECENTLY A PRACTRICE OF ABANDONING AND DISABLING THE FIRE SUPPRESION SYSTEM ON THEM. ON A GREAT PART OF OUR FLEET WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS SYSTEM OR IT HAS GONE OFF AS ARESULT OF A FIRE THEM SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN RECARGED AND PUT BACK INTO USE. WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO BYPASS SHUT-DOWN SYSTEMS SO THE BUS CAN BE SENT BACK OUT. WHEN CHALLENGED OUR JOBS ARE THREATENED. RECENTLY WE HAD A TURBO BLOW, RESULTING IN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A BUS. BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE AND THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF SMOKE INHALATION. THERE WERE 9 PASSENGERS ON BOARD ALSO, LUCKILY THEM GOT OFF WITHOUT INJURY. NOW THAT THEY HAVE DODGED A BULLET, THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP THIS PROBLEM, BY FIXNG SYSTEMS. WE STILL BUSES THAT ARE RUNNING AROUND THE STREETS OF BALTIMORE WITHOUT THIS PROTECTION. THIS IS ONLY A BANDAID OVER THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THE ILLMANAGEMENT OF THIS SYSTEM THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AGAIN. THE OCCURANCE I SPOKE OF HAPPENED ON AWEEKEND WHEN FEWER PEOPLE RIDE THE BUS HAD THIS HAPPENED DURING THE REGULAR WEEKDAY COMMUTE ON THIS BUS ROUTE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE INJURIES AS WELL AS POSSIBLE DEATHS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND OTHER PRACTICES SUCH AS SENDING BUSES OUT WITH BAD BRAKES ON WHAT THEY CALL SHORT TRIPPERS JUST TO MAKE THEMSEVLES LOOK GOOD. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. YOUR FORM DOESN'T HAVE ANY PLACE FOR A LOCATION ON INCIDENT SO HERE IS WHERE IT HAPPENED 1 BLOCK WEST OF 702 & OLD EASTERN AVE. IN ESSEX MD. BALTO. COUNTY. *AK;