Recall 14V651 affects 276 2006-2014 Turtle Top buses with Ricon wheelchair lifts that can crack. Free repair through Turtle Top or a Ricon service center.
Turtle Top is recalling 276 2006-2014 Odyssey, Vanterra, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, and Terra Transport transit buses under recall 14V651 because Ricon wheelchair lift platform side plates can crack. If a cracked plate lets the platform separate and rest against the lift door, the platform can fall when the doors open, increasing injury risk for the lift operator; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on the 2006-2014 Turtle Top Odyssey, Vanterra, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, and Terra Transport buses is the powered platform that raises and lowers a passenger using a mobility device. Its platform side plate is a structural plate along the lift platform. It helps hold the platform square and supports the lift while the platform moves between the ground and the bus floor.
This recall covers certain Ricon S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts. On affected lifts, the platform side plate can crack. A cracked side plate means the platform structure is no longer carrying load as designed, so the lift needs dealer attention before it is used for passenger loading.
There is no warning sign before failure. Check the lift area for visible cracks or movement, but do not treat a clean visual check as proof that the lift is safe.
Who's affected?
Spans five Turtle Top bus models across the 2006-2014 model years, all tied to adaptive mobility equipment.
| 2013 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2007 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2006 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2007 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Turtle Top Odyssey Xl | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Turtle Top Odyssey Lt | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2011 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2010 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Terra Transport | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2009 Turtle Top Odyssey Lt | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2008 Turtle Top Odyssey Lt | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 276 |
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?
If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and rest against the lift door. Opening the doors then exposes the operator to a platform that can fall outward, increasing injury risk. Keep people clear of the lift area and schedule service. Repair will be free at any franchised Turtle Top dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2014 Turtle Top Odyssey, Vanterra, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, or Terra Transport bus is included in this recall.
- Contact Turtle Top customer service at 1-574-831-4340 for current repair instructions before using the wheelchair lift.
- Ask where to take the bus for the free Ricon wheelchair-lift bumper installation or platform replacement if cracking has started.
- Bring the recall notice if Turtle Top sent one. If not, reference recall number 14V651 when you call.
- Keep the wheelchair lift out of service if the platform side plate is cracked until the supplemental bumper or replacement platform repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The remedy directs owners to take the bus to a Ricon dealer or service center. There, the lift receives supplemental platform support bumpers. If the wheelchair lift platform has already started cracking, the platform is replaced, free of charge. Because the remedy status is not listed as available in this record, confirm parts and scheduling before moving the bus for service. The final dealer or service center repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| October 17, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 18, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V651?
Recall 14V651 covers 276 2006-2014 Turtle Top transit buses with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The lift platform side plates can crack, letting the platform separate and fall when the lift doors open. Turtle Top will have support bumpers installed, and cracked platforms replaced, for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2014 Turtle Top Odyssey, Vanterra, Odyssey Xl, Odyssey Lt, or Terra Transport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 14V651. If it is, contact Turtle Top customer service at 1-574-831-4340 or a Ricon dealer or service center to schedule the wheelchair-lift repair. Reference recall number 14V651 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V651, Turtle Top will have supplemental platform support bumpers installed, and any wheelchair-lift platform that has already started cracking replaced, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury to the lift operator. If the wheelchair-lift platform side plates crack, the platform can separate from the lift and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall out.
What if I bought this Turtle Top bus used?
The recall still follows the bus. If no owner notice reached you, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Turtle Top bus is included in recall 14V651, then contact Turtle Top or a Ricon dealer or service center for the free wheelchair-lift repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V651000 |
|---|---|
| Turtle Top customer service | 1-574-831-4340 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V651 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V651000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →