Recall 15V827 covers 26 2012-2014 Ameritrans buses with Ricon wheelchair lift link-arm bearings that shift. Repair is free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer.
Ameritrans is recalling 26 2012-2014 Ctv, 245, and 395 vehicles because certain Ricon wheelchair lifts have folding link-arm pivot holes that are too large. The oversized holes allow bearings to move out of position, so the stowed platform can move excessively and fail at its mounting; Ameritrans dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on affected 2012-2014 Ameritrans Ctv, 200, 225, 245, 285, 375, and 395 vehicles uses folding link arms to raise, lower, and support the platform. Those arms pivot around bearings at fixed holes, keeping the platform aligned while a wheelchair user enters or exits the vehicle. The lift depends on those pivot points staying tight and in position.
On the affected Ricon lifts, the pivot holes in the folding link arms are too large. That extra space lets the bearings move out of position instead of staying centered in the arm. Once a bearing shifts, the arm no longer pivots as designed, and the platform no longer has the support geometry the manufacturer intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator should not rely on noise, looseness, or a visible change in the lift to know that the affected arm has begun to fail.
Who's affected?
Spans the 200, 225, 245, 285, 375, 395, and Ctv bus models across the 2012-2014 model years, all involving adaptive or mobility equipment.
| 2014 Ameritrans Ctv | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ameritrans 245 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans 395 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans Ctv | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Ameritrans 245 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans 225 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans 245 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans 375 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans 375 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans 395 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans 200 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Ameritrans 375 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans 285 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans 285 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Ameritrans 285 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Ameritrans 225 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Ameritrans 395 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans Ctv | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2012 Ameritrans 200 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Ameritrans 200 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Ameritrans 225 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 26 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
The stowed wheelchair lift platform can move excessively if bearings shift out of position. That movement can damage the platform mounting, and when the vehicle doors open, the platform can fall out and injure the lift operator. Keep people clear of the lift area and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2014 Ameritrans Ctv, 245, 395, 225, 375, 200, or 285 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ameritrans dealer to schedule the free wheelchair-lift inspection and repair.
- Schedule the folding-link-arm, bearing, and platform inspection that checks for loose platform movement and cracked lift parts.
- Bring any recall notice you received, and reference recall number 15V827 when you call or arrive.
- Avoid using the wheelchair lift if the platform shifts or sits loose until the dealer completes the inspection and repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ameritrans technician inspects the wheelchair lift link arms for damage and displaced bearings, then checks the platform for cracks. Any damaged link arm, bearing, platform, or related part found during the inspection is replaced free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Ameritrans has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same lift repair before the recall work was completed. Bring repair invoices or other payment documentation to the service desk and ask how to submit them under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 9, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| December 18, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 4, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 21, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V827?
Recall 15V827 covers 26 2012-2014 Ameritrans Ctv, 245, 395, 225, 375, 200, and 285 vehicles with certain Ricon wheelchair lifts. Oversized pivot holes in the folding link arms can let bearings move out of position. Ameritrans dealers will inspect the lift and replace damaged parts for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2014 Ameritrans Ctv, 245, 395, 225, 375, 200, or 285 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V827. If it is, contact a franchised Ameritrans dealer to schedule the wheelchair lift inspection. Reference recall number 15V827 when you call. Damaged link arms, displaced bearings, or cracked platform parts are replaced free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ameritrans dealers will inspect the wheelchair lift link arms, bearings, and platform, then replace damaged parts free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the stowed wheelchair lift platform can move excessively if the bearings shift out of position. That movement can cause the platform mounting to fail and the platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing injury risk for the lift operator.
What if I bought this Ameritrans vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Ameritrans vehicle is included, then give recall number 15V827 to the dealer service desk when scheduling the wheelchair lift inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V827000 |
|---|---|
| Ameritrans customer service | 1-574-262-8935 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V827 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V827000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →