R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT

Jul 29, 2009 — Recall Campaign #09V297000

R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 7 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

09V297000

Manufacturer:	R&R MOBILITY VANS & LIFTS INC.
Recall date:	July 29, 2009
NHTSA Campaign #:	09V297000
Units affected:	7

Description:: R&R MOBILITY IS RECALLING 7 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS ON MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequeces:: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Corrective action:: R&R MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000.
Notes:: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Affects the following:

1994 FORD E-150 Complaints
The contact owns a 1994 Ford E-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated she heard an unusual noise that sounded like something broke. The contact stated she continued to drive and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with a fractured steering box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.;
2004 FORD E-250 Complaints
I arrived at my destination, lined up to park, shifted my foot from accelerator to brake and ... YIKES the engine was racing like crazy. I put both feet on the brake, shoving hard, engine continues to accelerate over the curb & into a fence. Pulling against the brakes, the engine continued to race. I reached to yank it out of gear, when it TOOK OFF backwards across the parking lot. Still standing on the brakes, I frantically looked for a path that would give me time to kill the engine. skipped the window that I couldn't see if there were PEOPLE on the other side of it ... angled to go around parked cars and went for the ignition switch to kill the engine. After I got the engine switch off, the momentum carried me into the first parked car, which shoved it into the next parked car. THANK GOODNESS there were no people in either, nor in the parking lot!! No warnings of any kind. The entire vehicle is available for inspection; it has yet to be inspected. There is no way I would drive this suicidal-murdering death-trap ANYWHERE, so I had it towed. Police and insurance have been notified.;