The problem
Matthews is recalling 8 my 1998 bluebird, my 2004 Ford e450, my 2005-2006 thomas built bus, my 2006 international bus, my 2007 Chevrolet 5500, freightliner and Dodge sprinter trucks, transit buses, and specialty vehicles equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock May not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
The risk
A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix
Matthews is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mattews specialty at 336-297-9600.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 08V-526 (08V526000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Matthews Specialty Vehicles |
| Component | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Report date | October 8, 2008 |
| Owners notified | October 22, 2008 |
| Vehicles affected | 8 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 08V-526 repair free?
Yes. Dodge dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Matthews is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or mattews specialty at 336-297-9600.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 8 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.