Recall 16V398 affects 5 2015-2016 Ameritrans 285 shuttle buses for cracked wheelchair-lift side plates. Repair is free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer.
Ameritrans is recalling 5 2015-2016 285 shuttle buses built on Ford E-450 chassis because certain Ricon wheelchair lift side plates can crack and lift bearings can move out of position. If the lift platform separates or falls when the doors open, the operator faces a higher injury risk, and the Ameritrans dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on 2015-2016 Ameritrans 285 shuttle buses is the powered platform used to raise a passenger from the ground into the bus. The side plates and folding link arms help carry and guide the platform as it raises, lowers, and folds away.
On affected Ricon S2000, S5000, or S5500 lifts, the platform side plate can crack. The folding link arms also have pivot holes that are too large, which lets the bearings move out of position instead of staying centered at the joint. Once those parts shift or crack, the lift no longer holds its intended geometry under load, and platform movement is no longer controlled the way Ricon designed it.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the lift looks uneven, binds, or does not move normally, stop using it and have the Ameritrans dealer inspect it before carrying a passenger.
Who's affected?
The same adaptive mobility equipment is listed for both the 2016 and 2015 Ameritrans 285 buses.
| 2016 Ameritrans 285 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2015 Ameritrans 285 | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 5 |
The year and model narrow the recall, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A cracked side plate or failed platform mounting can let the lift platform separate and rest against the lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall onto the lift operator and increase injury risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Keep people clear of the platform path until inspected. Repair is free at any franchised Ameritrans dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Ameritrans 285 is included in this recall.
- Contact Ameritrans customer service at 1-574-262-8935 to schedule the free Ricon wheelchair-lift inspection and repair.
- Ask for inspection of the lift side plates, platform cracks, and folding-link-arm bearings, with damaged parts replaced free of charge.
- Reference recall number 16V398 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Ameritrans mailed one.
- Keep lift operators clear of the lift door until the inspection and repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Ameritrans technician inspects the wheelchair lift side plates for damage and checks whether the bearings have moved out of position. The technician also inspects the lift platform for cracks and checks the folding link arms connected to the lift mechanism. Any damaged side plates, platform parts, bearings, or related lift components are replaced free of charge under the recall. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered.
Timeline
| June 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 2, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| June 8, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 30, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V398?
Recall 16V398 covers 5 2015-2016 Ameritrans 285 shuttle buses built on Ford E-450 chassis with Ricon S2000, S5000, or S5500 wheelchair lifts. The lift platform side plates can crack, and displaced bearings can let the platform separate from the lift. Ricon dealers inspect and replace damaged parts for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Ameritrans 285 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific shuttle bus is included in recall 16V398. If it is, contact Ameritrans or a Ricon service dealer to arrange the wheelchair lift inspection. Reference recall 16V398 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall remedy at no cost. For recall 16V398, Ricon dealers inspect the wheelchair lift side plates, bearings, and platform, then replace damaged parts free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury to the lift operator. If the platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from displaced bearings, the lift platform can separate and rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors open, the platform can fall onto the operator.
When did the repair become available?
The repair became available when the recall began on June 30, 2016. Ameritrans directed lift purchasers to have Ricon dealers inspect the wheelchair lift for cracked side plates, displaced bearings, and platform cracks, with damaged parts replaced for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V398000 |
|---|---|
| Ameritrans customer service | 1-574-262-8935 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V398 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V398000 |
Source documents
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 →