Recall 10V099 covers 12 2009 Trans Tech school buses with Ricon wheelchair lifts that overrun floor level. Repair will be free once available.
Trans Tech is recalling 12 2009 school buses, including the Rondak DW5138FRL, DW6158FRL, and DW8195FRL, because Ricon wheelchair lift software can let the platform travel past the vehicle floor level. A platform that stops above floor level at an angle can tip a wheelchair user or cause someone standing on the lift to fall; the Trans Tech dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on these 2009 Trans Tech Rondak DW5138FRL, DW6158FRL, and DW8195FRL school buses is the powered platform used to raise a wheelchair passenger from ground level to the bus floor. The lift control software is supposed to stop upward travel when the platform reaches the floor level limit switch. That stop point keeps the platform aligned with the bus floor for loading.
On buses with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-Model lifts, the software handling the up function does not stop the platform right away when the operator releases the switch before the floor level limit switch is reached. The lift continues upward for about 1 second after the switch is released. That extra movement allows the platform to pass the normal floor level cutoff point.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up during lift operation, when the platform keeps moving upward after the switch is released instead of stopping at the intended point.
Who's affected?
Covers 3 bus configurations from the 2009 model year, all tied to adaptive/mobility equipment.
| 2009 Trans Tech Rondak DW5138FRL | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2009 Trans Tech DW6158FRL | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Trans Tech DW8195FRL | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 12 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the wheelchair lift platform overruns the vehicle floor and stops at an angle, a wheelchair user can tip over and a person standing on the platform can fall, which increases injury risk. Use the lift only as instructed and schedule the recall work when available. Repair will be free at any franchised Trans Tech dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Trans Tech Rondak DW5138FRL, DW6158FRL, or DW8195FRL is included in this recall.
- Contact Trans Tech or Ricon to request the wheelchair-lift operating bulletin and DVD training aid while the software repair is unavailable.
- Follow the Ricon lift instructions before using the wheelchair lift, especially the switch operation that prevents the platform from overrunning floor level.
- Ask Trans Tech or Ricon when the software repair that corrects the wheelchair-lift upward-travel problem is available.
- Reference recall number 10V099 when you call or speak with a Trans Tech service contact.
What happens at the repair
The final software repair is not listed as available in the recall input. Repairs are handled free of charge through authorized Ricon dealers once the software solution is ready. Until then, Ricon provides owners with a bulletin explaining proper wheelchair lift operation and a DVD-based training aid at no cost. A Trans Tech service desk can help route the bus through the authorized Ricon repair path and confirm when the software update is open for the affected lift.
Timeline
| March 16, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V099?
Recall 10V099 covers 12 2009 Trans Tech school buses equipped with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-model wheelchair lifts. The lift software can let the platform travel above the vehicle floor level after the switch is released, creating a fall or tip-over risk.
What should I do if my 2009 Trans Tech Rondak DW5138FRL, DW6158FRL, or DW8195FRL is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V099. If it is, contact Trans Tech or an authorized Ricon dealer and reference recall number 10V099. Ask for the current repair path and any lift-operation bulletin or training aid tied to this recall.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The recall filing says authorized Ricon dealers perform the repair free of charge. Ricon also provided the lift-operation bulletin and DVD-based training aid at no cost while the software remedy was being developed.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V099?
The risk is a fall or tip-over during wheelchair lift use. In recall 10V099, the platform can overrun the vehicle floor level and stop at a 15-20 degree angle. A wheelchair user can tip over, and a person standing on the platform can fall.
When did owner notification start for recall 10V099?
Owner notification for recall 10V099 began on March 31, 2010. If you bought the bus used or never received the notice, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then contact Trans Tech or an authorized Ricon dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V099000 |
|---|---|
| Trans Tech customer service | 1-818-267-3000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V099 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V099000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →