Recall 14V244 covers 116 2013 Startrans buses and trolleys with wheelchair lift cable routing that can short and cause fire. Ricon cover kit is free.
Startrans is recalling 116 2013 President, Senator Ii, Activity, Senator, Trolley, and Heavy Duty buses and trolleys because the armored pendant cable on certain Ricon wheelchair lifts can sit too close to the lift. If that cable contacts the power lug without the proper nonconductive cover, a short circuit can start a fire; the Startrans dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on affected 2013 Startrans President, Senator Ii, Activity, Senator, Trolley, and Heavy Duty buses and trolleys is adaptive mobility equipment for boarding passengers who use a wheelchair. The Ricon S series or K series lift raises and lowers the platform, and the pendant lets the operator command that movement while watching the passenger and lift area.
On these vehicles, the armored pendant cable is routed where it does not clear the wheelchair lift. As the lift moves, the cable can interfere with the lift path instead of staying out of the way. That creates a mechanical clearance problem around equipment that needs open travel to raise, lower, and stow correctly.
There is no warning sign before failure. An operator should not count on a light, sound, or visible change before the cable interferes with lift operation.
Who's affected?
Covers 6 bus models from the 2013 model year, all tied to adaptive or mobility equipment.
| 2013 Startrans President | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2013 Supreme Senator Ii | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Supreme Activity | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Startrans Senator | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Startrans Trolley | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Supreme Heavy Duty | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 116 |
A matching model year and bus model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A lift cable that does not clear the wheelchair lift can contact the power lug. Without a properly installed nonconductive cover, that contact can cause a short circuit and fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Startrans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Startrans President, Senator Ii, Activity, Senator, Trolley, or Heavy Duty is included in this recall.
- Contact Startrans customer service at 1-574-642-4888 to confirm the free Ricon wheelchair-lift supplemental cover kit instructions.
- Ask whether the armored pendant cable needs the supplemental nonconductive cover kit before the lift is used.
- Install the supplemental cover kit as instructed, or have a qualified Startrans service provider handle the kit if your bus is in service.
- Reference recall number 14V244 when you call so Startrans can match the wheelchair-lift fire-risk recall to your VIN.
What happens at the repair
The source remedy says Startrans notified owners, and Ricon sent a supplemental cover kit with instructions at no charge. This is a kit-based remedy for the wheelchair lift pendant cable area, not a repair that requires a guessed service time. If your VIN is included and the kit is missing, contact the Startrans service desk and ask them to confirm the Ricon supplemental cover kit for recall 14V244. The final remedy materials are free under the recall.
Timeline
| May 13, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 24, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V244?
Recall 14V244 covers 116 2013 Startrans President, Senator Ii, Activity, Senator, Trolley, and Heavy Duty buses and trolleys with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The armored pendant cable can contact the lift power lug and cause a short circuit, raising fire risk. The cover kit and instructions are free.
What should I do if my 2013 Startrans President, Senator Ii, Activity, Senator, Trolley, or Heavy Duty is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus or trolley is included in recall 14V244. If it is, contact a franchised Startrans service location or call Startrans customer service at 1-574-642-4888. Reference recall 14V244 and ask about the Ricon supplemental cover kit.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost. For recall 14V244, Ricon sends the supplemental cover kit and instructions free of charge for affected Startrans vehicles equipped with the covered wheelchair lift setup.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire from an electrical short circuit. If the armored pendant cable contacts the wheelchair lift power lug and the nonconductive cover is missing or installed incorrectly, the circuit can short. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free cover-kit remedy before continued service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V244000 |
|---|---|
| Startrans customer service | 1-574-642-4888 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V244 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V244000 |
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 →