Navistar, the parent company of IC Bus, announced two separate NHTSA recall campaigns, one to fix potential leaks in school buses equipped with Bendix ATR Antilock Traction Relay Valves and the other to repair self-latching mechanisms on CE White seat cushions.
The Bendix recall states that the traction relay valves may develop internal leaks during extremely cold conditions, which “can lead to air pressure being delivered to affected primary or secondary brakes, causing continuous brake application.” The recall affects 931 model-year 2012 and 2013 IC Bus CE Series and RE Series school buses that were manufactured from Dec. 2, 2010 through Jan. 26 of this year.
Navistar said continuous braking can cause the driver to lose control of the school bus. Additionally, the brakes may be applied without the brake lights illuminating. The company is notifying customers and dealers this spring that it is providing a free, temporary repair until Bendix develops a permanent remedy.
The second recall affects 677 BE, CE and RE Series school buses with model years 2011 and 2012. The vehicles manufactured from April 8, 2010 through July 1, 2011 are equipped with CE White seat cushions with self-latching mechanisms required by FMVSS 222. The latches that are designed to retain the seat cushion to the seat frame, however, may not activate. Seat cushions that become dislodged from the frame can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Navistar will notify customers that dealers will repair the seat cushions free of charge.
