PlainRecalls
NHTSA Moderate Active

FORD 2007-2009: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Reported: June 4, 2010 Initiated: June 4, 2010 #10V243000

Product Description

MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION (MTS) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON FORD E150, E250, AND E350 CHASSIS FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2009 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.

Reason for Recall

MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION (MTS) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON FORD E150, E250, AND E350 CHASSIS FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2009 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.

Hazard

WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Remedy

MTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. A SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MTS AT 1-734-453-64

Details

Recalling Firm
FORD
Distribution
United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION (MTS) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON FORD E150, E250, AND E350 CHASSIS FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2009 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.. Recalled by FORD.
Why was this product recalled?
MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION (MTS) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON FORD E150, E250, AND E350 CHASSIS FROM SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2009 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.
What should consumers do?
MTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. A SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MTS AT 1-734-453-64
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the NHTSA on June 4, 2010. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 10V243000.