NEOPLAN USA CORPORATION: Safety Recalls in 1985

AN INDUCTIVE VOLTAGE SPIKE MAY AFFECT THE REAR DOOR TIME DELAY RELAY IN A MANNER WHICH CAUSES THE MAGNETIC BRAKE VALVE TO ENERGIZE. WHEN THIS VALVE IS ENERGIZED THE BUS BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE BUS IS IN MOTION, THE BUS WILL BRAKE UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT ANY ACTION FROM THE OPERATOR AND MAY CAUSE INJURIES TO ITS OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

CHAFING CONDITION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE AND TIRE. ALSO, RUBBER BRAKE PEDAL COVER MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM METAL PEDAL ASSEMBLY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE CHAFING DAMAGES THE AIR BRAKE HOSE TO THE POINT THAT IT LEAKS, EFFECTIVENESS IS DIMINISHED. ALSO IF RUBBER BRAKE PEDAL COVER FALLS OFF, THE DRIVERS FOOT MAY SLIP OFF THE PEDAL WHEN BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. IN EITHER CASE AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.

THERE MAY BE TIE ROD CLAMP INTERFERENCE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION STRUCTURE. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL MAY BECOME STIFF DUE TO NON-PERMANENT LUBE STEERING SHAFT CROSS BEARINGS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING COULD BIND OR BECOME HARD RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE NOT AT SUFFICIENT RATINGS TO PROTECT HIGH SIDE TOLERANCES, SOME WIRING HARNESSES ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SECURED TO PREVENT CHAFING AND NO PROVISIONS WERE MADE FOR COMPLETE DISCONNECTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN CASE OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE ABOVE COULD RESULT IN A BUS FIRE.

HAIRLINE CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN ONE OR MORE OF THREE WELD AREAS: FRONT SUSPENSION INTERFACE PLATE AT THE BOTTOM FRAME STRUCTURE, REAR SUSPENSION TERMINATION POINTS OF THE TRANSVERSE LINK TOWER OUTBOARD GUSSET, OR REAR AXLE MOUNTING PAD TO THE A FRAME ON THE LONGITUDINAL BEAM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE HANDLING DIFFICULTIES WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.