RecallNotify
Sign up Check my VIN
Home/ Recalls/ Trans Tech/ 12V173
Campaign 12V173 Posted April 18, 2012 77 units

2008-2010 Trans Tech DW/STH Recall 12V173: Lift Latch

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 12V173 covers 77 2008-2010 Trans Tech buses with Braun wheelchair lifts and roll-stop latch defects. Repairs are free through authorized Braun dealers.

Trans Tech is recalling 77 2008-2010 buses, including DW6+9166 and DW6158FRL models, with Braun Century-2 and Vista-2 wheelchair lifts because the outer barrier roll stop latches can bend or fall out of alignment. If the platform is elevated, a wheelchair occupant can ride over the roll stop and fall; the dealer repair will be free once Trans Tech makes it available.

Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?

The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.

Check my VIN at NHTSA

RecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.

What's wrong?

On affected 2008-2010 Trans Tech buses, the wheelchair lift uses an outer barrier with roll stop latches. That barrier is the gate at the outside edge of the lift platform. Its job is to stay locked while the lift moves, so a wheelchair occupant stays on the platform instead of rolling off the outer edge.

NHTSA campaign 12V173 describes Braun Century-2 and Vista-2 wheelchair lifts with roll stop latches that bend or move out of alignment over time with frequent use. When the latch is bent or misaligned, the outer barrier does not lock as intended. A wheelchair occupant can defeat the barrier or ride over it when the roll stop is not fully latched.

There is no warning sign before failure. An operator or service technician needs to treat a loose, bent, or poorly aligned outer barrier latch as a defect that affects how the lift holds a wheelchair on the platform.

Who's affected?

Covers 8 bus models across the 2008-2010 model years, all listed under equipment adaptive/mobility.

2008 Trans Tech DW6+9166 Equipment adaptive/mobility
2009 Trans Tech DW6158FRL Equipment adaptive/mobility
2009 Trans Tech DW5159FRL Equipment adaptive/mobility
2009 Trans Tech DW5+9159FRL Equipment adaptive/mobility
2010 Trans Tech DW6159FRL Equipment adaptive/mobility
Units affected77

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.

What's the safety risk?

If this failure happens while the lift platform is raised, the wheelchair occupant can fall from the platform and be injured. Until the recall repair is complete, use the wheelchair lift only with close supervision and arrange dealer service. Repair will be free at any franchised Trans Tech dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2010 Trans Tech DW6+9166, DW6158FRL, DW5159FRL, DW5+9159FRL, DW6159FRL, DW8195FRL, DW7+9195FRL, or STH4+9139 bus is included in this recall.
  2. Call Trans Tech customer service at 845-988-0419 to confirm where the free wheelchair-lift roll-stop latch repair is handled for your bus.
  3. Reference recall number 12V173 when you call or when speaking with the repair facility.
  4. Schedule the wheelchair-lift roll-stop latch repair that fixes bent or misaligned outer barrier latches.
  5. Keep wheelchair occupants clear of the lift platform until the latch repair is complete if the roll stop does not latch fully.

What happens at the repair

At an authorized Braun dealer, the wheelchair lift repair is handled free of charge for affected 2008-2010 Trans Tech buses equipped with Braun Century-2 and Vista-2 lifts. The source remedy does not list each shop step, but the recall concerns the outer barrier roll stop latches, which can become bent or misaligned with frequent use. The recall began on April 25, 2012. Ask the dealer to confirm that the lift repair for recall 12V173 is complete before the bus returns to passenger service.

Timeline

April 18, 2012 NHTSA published the recall
April 25, 2012 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 12V173?

Recall 12V173 covers 77 2008-2010 Trans Tech buses equipped with Braun Century-2 and Vista-2 wheelchair lifts. The outer barrier roll stop latches can bend or move out of alignment, letting a wheelchair occupant ride over the barrier. Authorized Braun dealers perform the repair for free.

What should I do if my 2008-2010 Trans Tech bus is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V173. If it is, contact Trans Tech or your dealer and reference recall 12V173. The repair is free and is performed by authorized Braun dealers.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Trans Tech's recall remedy says authorized Braun dealers perform the repair free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the covered defect at no cost to the owner.

What is the safety risk?

The risk is a fall injury to a wheelchair occupant. If the lift platform is raised and the outer barrier roll stop is bent or misaligned, the occupant can ride over the barrier and fall from the elevated platform.

When did the recall repair begin?

The recall repair began on April 25, 2012. If your 2008-2010 Trans Tech bus is included and the lift repair was never completed, contact Trans Tech at 845-988-0419 or speak with the dealer about the free authorized Braun repair.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V173000
Trans Tech customer service845-988-0419
NHTSA recall #12V173
NHTSA recall # (full)12V173000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →