VAN-CON Recalls

Jul 20, 2018 – Van-Con, Inc. (Van-Con) is recalling certain 2011-2018 33803 Dual Rear Wheel school buses, equipped with CE White/HSM SB11-30" series, standard, unbelted, school bus seats, or SB11-30" series school bus seats with lap belts only. The foam in the knee impact area of the lower seat back may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

May 18, 2018 – Van-Con, Inc. (Van-Con) is recalling one 2016 33803 Dual Rear Wheel school bus. The roof panel seams were not correctly bonded and thus may separate in the event of a crash. As such, this vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 221, "School Bus Body Joint Strength."

Jan 11, 2018 – Van-Con, Inc. (Van-Con) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Van-Con Dual Rear-Wheel school buses, model 33803, built on Chevrolet 3500 chassis and equipped with wheelchair lifts. The lifts in the affected vehicles may not deactivate until they are beyond the acceptable limit for being uneven. As such, these lifts fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403 "Platform lift systems" and FMVSS number 404 "Platform lift installations."

Nov 02, 2017 – Van-Con, Inc. (Van-Con) is recalling certain 2007-2017 Dual Rear Wheel school buses built on Chevrolet 3500 Express chassis. The seat barrier behind the driver seat may be pinned to the bulkhead preventing it from deforming in the event of an impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Oct 19, 2017 – Van-Con, Inc. (Van-Con) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Dual Rear-Wheel school buses, model 33803, built on Chevrolet 3500 chassis. The seat belt buckle latch plate assembly, when buckled, may rest across the seated passenger's lap instead of being located to the side of the passenger. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Mar 23, 2010 – VAN-CON HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 HANDICAP SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND CHEVY CHASSIS, FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. 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. RICON HAS 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.

Jul 05, 2005 – VAN-CON 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR 15, 16, 20, 25, AND 30 PASSENGER SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON GMC, CHEVROLET, AND FORD CHASSIS. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE STOP ARM SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Nov 15, 1999 – VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVERSION TYPE-A SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH PLUNGER/SOCKET POSITIVE DOOR OPENERS ON SINGLE REAR EMERGENCY DOORS. THESE BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Aug 18, 1999 – VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVERSION SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A SINGLE REAR EMERGENCY DOOR. THE LAST SEAT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE EMERGENCY REAR DOOR RESTRICTING THE PASSAGE. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE."

Nov 15, 1998 – VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR THESE BUSES WAS INCORRECTLY IMPRINTED "MULTIPURPOSE VEHICLE" INSTEAD OF "BUS/NON SCHOOL BUS." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION."