Recall 14V728 affects 26 2012-2014 Ameritrans M2 Series and E Series shuttle buses for cracking wheelchair-lift side plates. Repair is free at a Ricon service center.
Ameritrans is recalling 26 2012-2014 M2 Series and E Series shuttle buses because the Ricon wheelchair lift platform side plates can crack. If the plates crack, the platform can separate and fall out when the doors are opened, which increases injury risk to the lift operator; the Ameritrans dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on 2012-2014 Ameritrans E Series and M2 Series shuttle buses is adaptive mobility equipment that raises or lowers a passenger using a wheelchair between the ground and the bus floor. Its platform side plate is part of the structure at the edge of the lift platform. That plate helps keep the platform supported and aligned while the lift carries weight.
On affected buses, certain Ricon wheelchair lifts have a platform side plate that can crack. A crack means the lift platform is no longer supported the way it was designed to be. Ameritrans was notified by Ricon about the defect and verified the affected lift information.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners and fleet operators should treat any visible crack, bending, looseness, or unusual lift movement as a reason to stop using the lift until it is inspected.
Who's affected?
Covers the M2 Series and E Series across the 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years, all tied to adaptive/mobility equipment.
| 2014 Ameritrans M2 Series | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2014 Ameritrans E Series | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans M2 Series | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans M2 Series | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans E Series | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans E Series | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 26 |
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?
A cracked platform side plate can let the lift platform separate and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall out and injure the lift operator. Inspect the lift area before opening the doors and schedule service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Ameritrans M2 Series or E Series shuttle bus is included in this recall.
- Wait for Ameritrans repair instructions before taking the shuttle bus to a Ricon dealer or service center.
- Contact Ameritrans customer service at 1-574-262-8935 and reference recall number 14V728 when you call.
- Follow Ameritrans instructions for the Ricon lift repair, which adds platform support bumpers and replaces a cracked platform if needed.
- Keep the wheelchair lift out of service if the platform side plates show cracking or the platform does not sit securely.
What happens at the repair
Ameritrans's filing says the shuttle bus goes to a Ricon dealer or service center for the wheelchair lift repair. The technician installs supplemental platform support bumpers on the affected Ricon lift. If the platform has already started cracking, the platform is replaced. The final dealer repair will be free once Ameritrans opens it, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ameritrans has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for this lift platform repair, contact Ameritrans customer service or Ricon customer service and ask what documentation is needed for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 13, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2014 | Dealer notification began |
| December 1, 2014 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 12, 2014 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 5, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V728?
Recall 14V728 covers 26 2012-2014 Ameritrans M2 Series and E Series shuttle buses equipped with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. The lift platform side plate is vulnerable to cracking, and Ameritrans will have supplemental platform support bumpers installed free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Ameritrans M2 Series or E Series is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific shuttle bus is included in recall 14V728. If it is, contact Ameritrans customer service at 1-574-262-8935 and ask for repair routing to a Ricon dealer or service center. Reference recall number 14V728 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Ameritrans says the supplemental platform support bumpers are installed free of charge. Any platform that has already started cracking is replaced free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury to the lift operator. If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate and rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall out and strike the operator.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Look for visible cracking on the wheelchair lift platform side plates, movement in the platform, or any platform that rests against the lift door. Do not rely on inspection alone to clear the bus. Check your VIN and have the Ricon lift repaired through the recall process.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V728000 |
|---|---|
| Ameritrans customer service | 1-574-262-8935 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V728 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V728000 |
Source documents
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 →