Recall 14V019 covers 453 2010-2013 Turtle Top-built Ford buses for a pinched alternator harness. Free repair at a franchised Ford dealer.
Turtle Top is recalling 453 2010-2013 Ford Van Terra, Ford Limo Coach, and Ford Odyssey buses under recall 14V019 because the alternator harness can be pinched near the air conditioner compressor bracket. A failed charging system can stall the bus while driving, and a short circuit can start a fire; 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?
In recall 14V019, the part at issue is the alternator harness on certain 2010-2013 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Limo Coach, and Ford Odyssey buses and specialty vehicles. The harness is the wiring path that connects the alternator to the vehicle's electrical system, so the alternator can keep the battery charged while the engine runs.
These vehicles were built on Ford chassis with a Ford 5.4L or 6.8L engine and a Trans/Air-brand air compressor. The defect comes from the space at the front of the intake manifold, where the alternator harness, a heater hose spring clamp, and the air conditioner compressor mounting bracket sit close together. Depending on harness routing and clamp position, the harness gets pinched between the clamp and bracket. That pressure can damage the wiring covering and the wires inside.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver should not expect a dashboard message, noise, smell, or visible symptom before the harness damage becomes a problem.
Who's affected?
Covers 3 Turtle Top coach models across the 2010-2013 model years, all tied to the electrical system.
| 2012 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Turtle Top Ford Limo Coach | electrical system |
| 2013 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | electrical system |
| 2011 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | electrical system |
| 2012 Turtle Top Ford Limo Coach | electrical system |
| 2012 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | electrical system |
| 2010 Turtle Top Ford Odyssey | electrical system |
| 2013 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | electrical system |
| 2011 Turtle Top Ford Limo Coach | electrical system |
| 2011 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | electrical system |
| 2010 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra | electrical system |
| Units affected | 453 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A charging system failure can stall the vehicle while driving and increase crash risk. The spring clamp can also pierce both alternator harness wires, create a short circuit, and lead to a fire. The recall does not identify a warning sign before failure. If the vehicle stalls, pull over safely and call for service. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2013 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Limo Coach, or Ford Odyssey is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free alternator-harness inspection and clamp repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Turtle Top mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V019 when you call.
- Call Turtle Top customer service at 1-574-831-4340 with questions about dealer routing or the Trans/Air compressor repair path.
- Watch for charging-system problems or stalling risk, and keep the bus out of service until the alternator harness is inspected and repaired.
What happens at the repair
The repair path is an inspection and harness correction. Once the dealer repair is available, a Ford technician follows the Trans/Air procedure, checks the heater hose spring clamp at the front of the intake manifold, corrects the clamp installation, and repairs or reroutes the alternator harness where needed. Turtle Top says this recall work is free of charge. The filing does not give a shop time, so ask the service desk how long the inspection and any harness repair will take when you book the visit.
Timeline
| January 27, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V019?
Recall 14V019 covers 453 2010-2013 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Limo Coach, and Ford Odyssey buses built on Ford chassis with a Trans/Air air compressor. The alternator harness can be pinched near a heater hose spring clamp, damaging the charging system wiring.
What should I do if my 2010-2013 Turtle Top Ford Van Terra, Ford Limo Coach, or Ford Odyssey is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V019. If it is, contact Turtle Top at 1-574-831-4340 or a Trans/Air dealer to arrange the inspection, clamp correction, and alternator harness repair or rerouting.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Turtle Top's remedy says Trans/Air dealers will inspect the vehicle, correct the clamp installation, and repair or reroute the alternator harness as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is stalling or fire. If the alternator harness is pinched, the charging system can fail and the vehicle can stall while driving. If the spring clamp pierces both positive and negative wires, the resulting short circuit can cause a fire.
What if I bought this Turtle Top bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether the bus is included in recall 14V019, then reference the recall number when you contact Turtle Top or the Trans/Air dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V019000 |
|---|---|
| Turtle Top customer service | 1-574-831-4340 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V019 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V019000 |
Source documents
-
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 →