The problem
New york bus sales is recalling 1 ricon wheelchair lift which it installed on a Ford school bus, model e450. The vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in 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
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix
New york bus sales 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 new york bus sales at 1-315-687-3969.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 08V-644 (08V644000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Report date | December 5, 2008 |
| Owners notified | December 5, 2008 |
| Vehicles affected | 1 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 08V-644 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: New york bus sales 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 new york bus sales at 1-315-687-3969.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 1 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.