1997 Neoplan AN440

Defect. ON CERTAIN BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES ON THE C8.3G AND L10G ENGINES, THE ECM DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETECT A THROTTLE FAIL-SAFE ENGINE SHUTDOWN COMMAND. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNANTICIPATED, UNCOMMANDED OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING.

Risk. IF THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WILL NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE SPEED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CUMMINS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ECM. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-343-7357 OR NEOPLAN AT 719-336-3256, EXT. 476.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. FAILURE OF A SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVE IN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS PROVIDED BY LIFT-U, MAY ALLOW THE FRONT AND REAR PLATFORM BARRIERS TO RETURN TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION FROM THE VERTICAL POSITION THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LOCKED IN.

Risk. THIS COULD ALLOW A MOBILITY AID TO ROLL OFF OF THE LIFT PLATFORM INJURING ITS OCCUPANT. LIFT-U WILL REPLACE THE SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVES.

Remedy. LIFT-U WILL REPLACE THE SOFT SEAT CHECK VALVES.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS L-10 ENGINES AND NELSON CATALYSTS AND SOLD TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE CATALYST CAN EXPERIENCE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WHICH COULD BE CAUSED FROM UNBURNED METHANE IGNITING INSIDE THE CATALYST BRICK.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYST AND COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYST.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND POSITIONING; INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE FIBERGLASS HOLE SURROUNDING THE TAIL PIPE, REMOVE A RUBBER AIR INLET BOOT THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYST; REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND ADD A BLANKET AROUND THE CATALYST TO PROVIDE ADDED INSULATION.

EXTREME EXOTHERMIC REACTION IN EXHAUST CATALYST GENERATED SUFFICIENT LOCALIZED TEMPERATURES TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIAL, RESULTING IN FIRE AND DAMAGE TO REAR PORTION OF TRANSIT BUS.