1997 Ward Volunteer

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 3 times.

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner99V061000
Filed Mar 23, 19997,738 vehiclesAmerican Transportation Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH FLIP SEATS AT THE EMERGENCY EXITS. THE SEAT CUSHION HINGE ON THE COMBINATION FLIP SEAT IS LOCATED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT IS WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT LOCATED BEHIND THE COMBO FLIP SEAT.

Risk. THE HINGES ON THE COMBO FLIP SEAT CAN CAUSE A PINCHING CONDITION, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND SENT KITS TO REMEDY THESE SEATS.

Structure › Body98V200000
Filed Aug 28, 19988,083 vehiclesAmerican Transportation Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES BUILT WITH CODE G47AODM OUTWARD OPENING SERVICE DOOR AND CODE G47ACDC OR G47A5DC MANUAL DOOR CONTROL. CERTAIN CLOTHING ARTICLES SUCH AS DRAW STRINGS CAN BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE CONTROL ROD CLEVIS AND THE ATTACHMENT AT THE DOOR AS A PERSON IS EXITING THE BUS.

Risk. IF THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THIS SITUATION, THE ENTRANCE DOOR MAY BE CLOSED, CAPTURING THE ITEM IN THE DOOR. DEATH OR INJURY COULD OCCUR TO THE PERSON EXITING THE BUS.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Structure › Body97V014000
Filed Feb 5, 19972,480 vehiclesAmerican Transportation Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN CLOTHING ARTICLES SUCH AS DRAW STRINGS CAN BECOME LODGED IN THE FORWARD HANDRAILS AT THE BUS DOORS WHEN A PERSON IS EXITING THE BUS.

Risk. IF THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE SITUATION, THE ENTRANCE DOOR MAY BE CLOSED, CAPTURING THE ITEM IN THE DOOR. DEATH OR INJURY CAN OCCUR TO THE PERSON EXITING THE BUS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIS HANDRAIL. PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR BUSES OPERATING IN STATES THAT MANDATE A FORWARD MOUNTED HANDRAIL TO OFFER THE OWNERS A FREE REPAIR KIT CONTAINING A RUBBER SPACER.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
1997 — this page0300Routine
19960500Routine
19950500Routine
19940500Routine
19930600Routine
19920500Routine
19910500Routine
19900500Routine

Compare every Volunteer year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.