In a news release Friday, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration announced that Navistar, Inc. is recalling certain models of IC BE and CE school bus, due to the risk of an electrical short that has the potential to spark a vehicle fire.
Subject to recall are 15,457 IC BE and CE school buses from model years 2007-2012 that were manufactured from June 27, 2006 through March 23, 2011 and are outfitted with a MaxxForce 7 engine. At issue is a cable coming from the alternator. The positive alternator cable can rub against the mounting bracket of the engine control module. The friction could lead to chaffing of the cable insulation, leading to an electrical short. The short has the potential to spark a vehicle fire that could lead to property damage, injury or death.
Navistar will notify bus owners of the recall, which is expected to begin about September 23, 2011. Owners will be able to take the vehicle to a dealer where the alternator cable will be inspected and replaced if necessary. If needed, tie straps will be installed to route the alternator cable away from the mounting bracket of the engine control module. The inspection and repair will be made at no charge to vehicle owners.
I hope that no one has been negatively affected by the bus’s alternator issue. As a Los Angeles personal injury attorney, I encourage owners to have the vehicle inspected and, in necessary, repaired as soon as they are notified of the recall.