Vehicle May Rollaway – 2013-2016 Ameritrans Ram 5500

July 12, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V527000

Vehicle May Rollaway

Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V527

Manufacturer Ameritrans Bus, Inc.

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 4

 

Summary

Ameritrans Bus, Inc. (Ameritrans) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ameritrans Ram 5500 (R Series) vehicles. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

 

Remedy

Ameritrans has notified owners and Chrysler dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began July 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ameritrans customer service at 1-574-218-4786.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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NHTSA is missing critical, required information for this safety recall. This information must be supplied through the NHTSA Recalls Portal within 5 working days of confirming its accuracy:

– In the case of a defect, a chronology of all principal events that were the basis for the determination that the defect related to motor vehicle safety, including a summary of all warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information (such as numbers of deaths and/or injuries), with their dates of receipt (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(6)).

– A description of the manufacturer’s program for remedying the defect or noncompliance (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(8)(i)).

– Your company’s program shall include a plan for reimbursing an owner or purchaser who incurred costs to obtain a remedy for the problem addressed by the recall within a reasonable time in advance of your company’s notification of owners, purchasers and dealers, in accordance with § 573.13 of this part. Your company’s plan may incorporate by reference a general reimbursement plan it previously submitted to NHTSA, together with information specific to the individual recall. Information required by § 573.13 that is not in a general reimbursement plan shall be submitted in your company’s report to NHTSA under this section. If your company submits one or more general reimbursement plans, your company shall update each plan every two years, in accordance with § 573.13. Your company’s remedy program and reimbursement plans will be available for inspection by the public at NHTSA headquarters (49 CFR 573.6 (c)(8)(i)). If the vehicles are new and would be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty program, please state that in the remedy section of your filing.

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07/23/19

NHTSA Campaign 19V527

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 19V-527

 

This notice applies to your vehicle with VIN

Subject:	SAFETY RECALL
Defect:	Your Brake Transmission Interlock (BTSI) locking pin is being recalled Contact Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) immediately

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Ameritrans Bus, Inc. has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2013 -2016 Ameritrans Dodge Ram 5500 (R Series) vehicles. This recall applies to certain vehicles equipped with a column shift automatic transmission. This safety recall does not affect vehicles equipped with a rotary or floor shifter or manual transmission. The Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) locking pin on your vehicle may become stuck in the open position. A BTSI locking pin stuck in the open position may allow the transmission to be shifted out of PARK and to any gear position without depression of the brake pedal and/or without the key in the ignition, if a key is applicable. The ability to shift the transmission out of the PARK position without a key in the ignition or a brake pedal application, increases the risk for an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in a vehicle crash or injury without prior warning.

WARNING: Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage. Refer to your owner’s manual for additional information regarding proper parking brake usage.

Our records indicate that you are the owner on record for the bus with VIN 3C7WRMDL4GG193872 affected by this Safety Recall.

Please contact FCA at the following address and/or number to schedule an appointment to have the recall performed. FCA will repair your vehicle free of charge.

To do this, your dealer will inspect the BTSI operation and replace if necessary. The Body Control Module (BCM) software will also be updated. In addition, your dealer will require your vehicle for proper check-in, preparation, and check-out during your visit. Please be aware that these steps may require more time. The estimated repair time is two hours.

FCA Customer Assistance
PO Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI  48321-8007

For arrangements, additional information, or if you do not operate any of the above coaches, please contact us at:

Ameritrans Bus, Inc., c/o ABC Bus, Inc.
1506 30^th Street NW
Faribault, MN  55021
Phone: 800‐222‐2871

If you believe that Ameritrans Bus, Inc. have failed to remedy the defect without charge, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1‐888‐327‐4236 (TTY 1‐800‐424‐9153) or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

Federal regulations require that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

If you had this repair performed before you received this letter, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of the pre‐notification remedy of the problem associated with this recall.

If any additional information is needed, please feel free to contact Ameritrans Bus, Inc. at 800222‐2871.

 

Ameritrans bus, Inc. apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause, however this action is taken in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our vehicles.

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4 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
AMERITRANS	5500	2013-2016

 

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6 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V527-1971.PDF 211.298KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-4

RCLQRT-19V527-8699.PDF 211.216KB

 

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V527-1353.pdf 483.875KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V527-5998.PDF 214.143KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V527-9845.pdf 245.335KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-3

RCLQRT-19V527-9329.PDF 211.116KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

For the Latest and Most Recent Recalls Information Visit the link below…

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V527&docType=RCL

 

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