Recall 12V404 covers 577 2006-2010 Turtle Top transit buses with wheelchair-lift roll-stop latch defects. Repair is free through authorized Braun dealers.
Turtle Top is recalling 577 2006-2010 Ford Van Terra, Ford Odyssey, and Terra Transport transit buses under recall 12V404 because frequent wheelchair-lift use can bend or misalign the outer barrier roll stop latches. An insufficiently latched roll stop can let a wheelchair occupant ride over the barrier from an elevated platform, and the Ford 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 wheelchair lift on affected 2006-2010 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Odyssey, and Terra Transport buses uses an outer barrier at the edge of the platform. On Century-2 and Vista-2 lifts, that barrier acts as a roll stop. When the lift is raised or lowered, the latches hold the barrier in the correct position so a wheelchair stays on the platform during loading.
In recall 12V404, the problem is with the roll stop latches on that outer barrier. Frequent use over time can bend the latches or knock them out of alignment. Once a latch is bent or misaligned, the barrier no longer has the same secure hold at the platform edge, which defeats the roll stop's job during wheelchair lift operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the filing does not list an owner-visible symptom, treat any included bus as needing dealer inspection and repair rather than waiting for a noise, warning light, or lift message.
Who's affected?
Covers three Turtle Top bus models across the 2006-2010 model years, all tied to adaptive or mobility equipment.
| 2008 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2010 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 577 |
The year, model, and adaptive-equipment issue 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 defeat the stop or ride over it. When the lift platform is elevated, the occupant can fall and be injured. Use the wheelchair lift with extra care and schedule recall service. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2010 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Odyssey, or Terra Transport is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to ask about the free wheelchair-lift roll-stop latch repair that keeps the outer barrier properly latched.
- Call Turtle Top customer service at 574-831-4340 with questions and reference recall number 12V404 when you call.
- Bring the recall notice if Turtle Top sent one, or give the dealer recall number 12V404 when scheduling.
- Keep wheelchair occupants off the lift until the roll-stop latch repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Turtle Top began this recall on September 13, 2012. The source says authorized Braun dealers perform the repair free of charge, but it does not name the exact replacement part or adjustment. At the dealer, a Ford technician checks the Century-2 or Vista-2 wheelchair lift outer barrier and addresses the roll stop latch condition covered by recall 12V404. Parts and labor are covered under the recall once the repair is open for your vehicle.
Timeline
| August 14, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 13, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V404?
Recall 12V404 covers 577 2006-2010 Turtle Top transit buses equipped with Century-2 or Vista-2 wheelchair lifts. The outer barrier roll stop latches can bend or move out of alignment over time. Authorized Braun dealers perform the repair for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2010 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Odyssey, or Terra Transport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 12V404. If it is, contact Turtle Top at 574-831-4340 and ask for the free wheelchair-lift repair through an authorized Braun dealer. Reference recall number 12V404 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Turtle Top's remedy says authorized Braun dealers will perform the repair free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 12V404.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a fall from an elevated wheelchair lift platform. If the outer barrier roll stop does not latch correctly, a wheelchair occupant can ride over or defeat the barrier and fall, which can cause injury. The free repair addresses the roll stop latch problem.
What if I bought the Turtle Top bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or purchase history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2006-2010 Turtle Top bus is included, then call Turtle Top at 574-831-4340 with recall number 12V404.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V404000 |
|---|---|
| Turtle Top customer service | 574-831-4340 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V404 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V404000 |
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →