2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500

Defect. Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Risk. If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy. Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT AND THE PAINT AROUND IT BURNED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OPENED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED. THERE WAS NO POLICE OR FIRE REPORT AND NO INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE MIGHT HAVE BURNED FOR DAYS BUT NEITHER HE NOR THE NEIGHBORS SAW SMOKE OR FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHOSE AGENT CAME AND SIMPLY TOOK PICTURES. THE CONTACT SEARCHED THE VIN AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND VERIFIED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V076000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF STATE COLLEGE (3220 W COLLEGE AVE, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801) AND WAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BUT WAS NOT TOWED AWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000.