Recall 10V203 affects 183 2009 Startrans buses with Ricon wheelchair lifts that overrun floor level. Repair is free through authorized Ricon dealers.
Startrans is recalling 183 2009 Senator, Senator Ii, Trolley, President, Candidate Ii, Candidate, and Senator Hd transit buses because Ricon wheelchair lift software can let the platform travel past floor level. The angled stop creates a tip or fall risk for lift users; the Startrans dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on 2009 Startrans Senator, Senator Ii, Trolley, President, Candidate Ii, Candidate, and Senator Hd buses is adaptive mobility equipment mounted at the bus doorway. It raises a wheelchair user or other passenger from ground level to the bus floor, then stops at floor height so the platform lines up with the entrance. The controller, buttons, and limit switch are supposed to work together so upward travel stops at the right point.
On buses fitted with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-model lifts, the software that controls upward movement does not stop the lift correctly in one operating condition. If the operator releases the up button before the floor-level limit switch is activated, the lift keeps moving upward. That lets the platform travel past the normal floor-level cutoff point instead of stopping where it should.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up during lift operation, when the platform continues upward after the button is released.
Who's affected?
Includes 7 bus models from the same model year, all tied to the same adaptive/mobility equipment.
| 2009 Startrans Senator | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2009 Startrans Senator Ii | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Startrans Trolley | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Startrans President | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Startrans Candidate Ii | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Startrans Candidate | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Startrans Senator Hd | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 183 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
The wheelchair lift platform can overrun the vehicle floor and stop at an angle. A wheelchair user can tip over, and a person standing on the platform can fall, causing injury. Follow Startrans and Ricon lift operation guidance until the repair is available. Repair will be free at any franchised Startrans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Startrans bus is included in this recall.
- Contact Startrans if you did not receive the owner notice; ask for the Ricon lift-operation bulletin and DVD training aid at no cost.
- Follow the Ricon lift-operation bulletin before using the wheelchair lift, because the lift-control software defect can let the platform travel past floor level.
- Reference recall number 10V203 when you call Startrans, Ricon, or an authorized Ricon dealer.
- Ask Startrans or an authorized Ricon dealer when the free software repair for the wheelchair lift is available.
What happens at the repair
Startrans and Ricon identified a software solution for the wheelchair lift issue, but the filing does not confirm that the final software repair is available. Until that repair is open, Ricon provides owners with a bulletin and DVD training aid on proper lift operation at no cost. The final dealer repair will be free once available through an authorized Ricon dealer.
Timeline
| May 10, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 12, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V203?
Recall 10V203 covers 183 2009 Startrans transit buses fitted with certain Ricon S Series and K Series L-model wheelchair lifts. The lift software can let the platform travel past floor level after the up button is released. Authorized Ricon dealers perform the repair free of charge.
What should I do if my 2009 Startrans Candidate, Candidate Ii, President, Senator, Senator Hd, Senator Ii, or Trolley is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 10V203. If it is, contact Startrans or an authorized Ricon dealer and reference recall 10V203. Until the software repair is complete, follow Ricon's lift-operation bulletin and training instructions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Startrans says the repairs for recall 10V203 are performed by authorized Ricon dealers free of charge. Ricon also provided the interim lift-operation bulletin and DVD-based training aid at no cost while the software solution was under investigation.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 10V203 is a wheelchair lift platform that overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at an angle. A wheelchair user can tip over, and a person standing on the platform can fall, resulting in injuries.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V203000 |
|---|---|
| Startrans customer service | 1-818-267-3000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V203 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V203000 |
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 →