NOVABUS RTS 2000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V148000

Manufacturers Involved: NOVA BUS INCORPORATED

Manufacturer Campaign Number: 02-002

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 2561

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Regulation Part Number: 571

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: 108

CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES WITH AN OPTION FOR DECELERATION LIGHTS DO NOT MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE DECELERATION LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE REAR CENTER OF THE BUS, ABOVE THE REAR ENGINE DOOR. THEY ARE PROVIDED AS A MEANS OF ALERTING VEHICLES TRAVELING BEHIND THE BUS THAT IT IS SLOWING DOWN AND MAY BE PREPARING TO STOP. ALSO, THE DRIVER ACTIVATED, FLASHING HOODLUM LIGHTS, IS TO ALERT THE PUBLIC/POLICE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURRING IN THE BUS FOR WHICH THE DRIVER REQUIRES ASSISTANCE. TWO OF THESE LIGHTS ARE LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THE BUS AT EACH END OF THE DESTINATION SIGN AND TWO AT THE REAR OF THE BUS BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ROOF MARKER LIGHTS. THEY FLASH IN AN ALTERNATING PATTERN FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE STANDARD REQUIRES THAT THESE LAMPS SHALL BE WIRED TO BE STEADY BURNING.

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

DEALERS WILL RETROFIT THESE BUSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NOVABUS AT 1-505-347-2011.

NOVABUS RECALL NO. 02-002. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.NOVABUS HAD PETITIONED THE AGENCY FOR INCONSEQUENTIALITY AND THE PETITION WAS DENIED BY THE AGENCY '5-6-02'.