Recall 12V539 affects 44 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches for wheelchair-lift safety pin and cylinder defects. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
Volvo Bus is recalling 44 2009-2013 9700 coaches because the wheelchair lift is missing maintenance safety pins or has lift cylinders that prevent the pins from being used. Without those pins, the lift can fail to stay safely stowed, which increases injury risk for people working on or around it, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on the 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 carries a wheelchair passenger between the ground and the coach floor. The lift uses hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the platform. During maintenance, safety pins are supposed to lock the lift in place so a technician is not relying only on the lift mechanism.
On affected coaches, the maintenance safety pins are missing, or the lift cylinders are the wrong length. If the cylinders do not place the lift in the correct position, the pins cannot be used the way they are designed to work. That leaves the lift without the intended maintenance lock.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is found by inspecting the wheelchair lift hardware and confirming that the safety pins are present, fit correctly, and lock the lift in place.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2009-2013 model years for the 9700, all listed under the Equipment component.
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | Equipment |
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | Equipment |
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | Equipment |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 44 |
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?
Without usable maintenance safety pins, the wheelchair lift can fail to stay safely stowed while someone works on or near it, increasing injury risk around the lift. Keep people clear of the lift until a Volvo Bus dealer verifies the pins or adds the missing parts. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer and ask whether service is ready for recall number 12V539.
- Schedule the free wheelchair-lift safety-pin inspection, so the lift can be safely stowed before anyone works on or around it.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, give the dealer recall number 12V539 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo Bus technician adds missing maintenance safety pins and verifies that the pins work properly. The technician also checks the wheelchair lift cylinder setup because the recall involves cylinders that can be the wrong length and prevent the pins from being used correctly. The source remedy says the safety recall began on February 8, 2013, and the repair is performed free of charge. If the remedy is not open for your VIN, the final dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| November 15, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 8, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V539?
Recall 12V539 covers 44 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches with a wheelchair-lift defect involving missing maintenance safety pins or lift cylinders that are the wrong length. The problem can prevent the lift from being safely stowed, increasing injury risk for people working on or near the lift.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 12V539. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule the wheelchair-lift inspection and repair. The dealer will add safety pins or verify that the pins work properly, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 12V539 is free. A Volvo Bus dealer will add the wheelchair-lift safety pins or verify that the safety pins work properly.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury to people working on or near the wheelchair lift. If the maintenance safety pins are missing or cannot be used, the lift cannot be safely stowed in place. The dealer repair is free and addresses the safety-pin problem.
When did the recall repair start?
The safety recall began on February 8, 2013. If your VIN is included and the lift repair was never completed, contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer and reference recall 12V539. You can also use the manufacturer phone number, 1-418-883-2888, for recall support.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V539000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo Bus customer service | 1-418-883-2888 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V539 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V539000 |
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 →