Recall 12V185 affects 4 2009-2010 Startrans Mfsab buses for bent wheelchair lift roll stop latches. Free repair through authorized Braun dealers.
Startrans is recalling 4 2009-2010 Mfsab school buses equipped with Braun wheelchair lifts because frequent use can bend or misalign the outer barrier's roll stop latches. A wheelchair occupant can ride over an insufficiently latched roll stop while the platform is elevated, creating a fall and injury risk; the Startrans dealer repair will be free once 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 NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The Braun wheelchair lift on 2009-2010 Startrans Mfsab school buses uses an outer barrier at the edge of the lift platform. That barrier is the roll stop, the hinged safety gate meant to keep a wheelchair from rolling off the platform while the lift is raised or lowered. Small latches hold the roll stop in the proper position.
On affected buses, those roll stop latches can bend or move out of alignment after repeated lift use. When a latch is bent or misaligned, the outer barrier no longer locks the way it was designed to lock. That leaves the lift dependent on a part that is not holding its normal position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is at the wheelchair lift hardware, so a driver will not get a driving symptom from the bus itself.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2009 and 2010 model years for the same adaptive/mobility equipment category.
| 2009 Startrans Mfsab | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2010 Startrans Mfsab | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 4 |
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?
An insufficiently latched roll stop can let a wheelchair occupant ride over the barrier. When the lift platform is elevated, that can lead to a fall and injury. Keep the lift secured and have the roll stop repaired before using it with a passenger. Repair will be free at any franchised Startrans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Startrans Mfsab school bus is included in this recall.
- Contact Startrans at 1-574-642-0811 to confirm current repair scheduling for recall number 12V185.
- Schedule the free Braun wheelchair-lift roll-stop latch repair that fixes the bent or misaligned outer barrier latch.
- Bring the recall notice if Startrans mailed one, and give the dealer recall number 12V185 when you schedule.
- Keep the wheelchair lift out of passenger service until the roll-stop latch repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The source remedy says Startrans notified owners and that authorized Braun dealers perform the repair free of charge. At the dealer, a Startrans technician checks the Braun wheelchair lift outer barrier roll stop latch area and repairs latch hardware that is bent or misaligned. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Because the remedy status is not listed as available in this record, confirm the open recall and repair path with the dealer before scheduling service.
Timeline
| April 27, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 7, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V185?
Recall 12V185 covers 4 2009-2010 Startrans Mfsab school buses equipped with Braun wheelchair lifts. The outer barrier roll-stop latches can become bent or misaligned, allowing a wheelchair occupant to ride over the roll stop when the lift platform is elevated.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Startrans Mfsab is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V185. If it is, contact Startrans at 1-574-642-0811 or your service provider to arrange the authorized Braun lift repair. The recall repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Startrans's remedy says authorized Braun dealers perform the wheelchair-lift repair free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2012.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a wheelchair occupant riding over an insufficiently latched roll stop while the lift platform is elevated. If that happens, the occupant can fall from the platform and sustain an injury. Confirm the VIN before using the bus in wheelchair-lift service.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a bent or misaligned roll-stop latch on the outer barrier of the Braun wheelchair lift. If the roll stop does not latch securely, take the bus out of wheelchair-lift service until the lift is inspected and repaired under recall 12V185.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V185000 |
|---|---|
| Startrans customer service | 1-574-642-0811 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V185 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V185000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →