Recall 18V603 affects 180 2013-2018 Turtle Top Vanterra, Odyssey, and Terra Transit buses for a wheelchair lift cam defect. Free dealer repair is available.
Turtle Top is recalling 180 2013-2018 Odyssey, Vanterra, and Terra Transit transit buses under recall 18V603 because the Ricon wheelchair lift platform can rise above the vehicle floor while in use. If the platform stops too high, a wheelchair user can tip inward toward the bus, and the dealer repair will be free once Turtle Top makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The wheelchair lift on affected 2013-2018 Turtle Top Vanterra, Odyssey, and Terra Transit buses uses a positioning input cam inside the lift control system. That cam helps the lift track platform position as it rises to the vehicle floor, so the cutoff switch stops upward travel at the correct height.
The problem is with Ricon S-Series and K-Series Titanium wheelchair lifts. If the positioning input cam fails while the lift is in use, the cutoff switch is disabled. If the operator keeps pressing the up button on the pendant while someone is on the platform, the platform can travel above the vehicle floor height. That puts the occupant at risk of tipping inward, toward the bus.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign is the lift platform continuing upward past the floor level instead of stopping even with the vehicle floor.
Who's affected?
Spans the Vanterra, Odyssey, and Terra Transit across the 2013-2018 model years, all tied to adaptive or mobility equipment.
| 2014 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
|---|---|
| 2018 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017 Turtle Top Terra Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Turtle Top Terra Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Turtle Top Terra Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2017 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2016 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2016 Turtle Top Terra Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018 Turtle Top Terra Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Turtle Top Terra Transit | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2015 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2018 Turtle Top Vanterra | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2013 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2014 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| 2016 Turtle Top Odyssey | Equipment adaptive/mobility |
| Units affected | 180 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, a wheelchair user exiting the lift can tip inward toward the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Use extra care during lift operation and ask for the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Turtle Top dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2018 Turtle Top Vanterra, Odyssey, or Terra Transit is included in this recall.
- Contact Turtle Top customer service at 1-800-296-2105 to confirm repair timing before scheduling service.
- Ask a franchised Turtle Top service location about the free lift positioning input cam replacement that keeps the wheelchair lift platform from traveling above the vehicle floor height.
- Reference recall number 18V603 when you call, and bring the owner notice if Turtle Top sent one.
- Avoid using the wheelchair lift until Turtle Top confirms the lift positioning input cam has been replaced.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Turtle Top technician replaces the lift positioning input cam on the Ricon S-Series or K-Series Titanium wheelchair lift. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. This work addresses the cam that controls lift positioning so the platform does not travel above the vehicle floor height while the lift is in use. The recall began November 7, 2019, so owners should contact Turtle Top customer service or a Turtle Top dealer to arrange the repair.
Timeline
| September 10, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 7, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V603?
Recall 18V603 covers 180 2013-2018 Turtle Top Vanterra, Odyssey, and Terra Transit transit buses with Ricon S-Series and K-Series Titanium wheelchair lifts. The lift positioning input cam can fail while the lift is in use, and Turtle Top dealers will replace that cam for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2018 Turtle Top Vanterra, Odyssey, or Terra Transit is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific transit bus is included in recall 18V603. If it is, contact a franchised Turtle Top dealer to schedule the wheelchair lift input cam replacement. Reference recall number 18V603 when you call. Turtle Top customer service is at 1-800-296-2105.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Turtle Top dealers will replace the lift positioning input cam free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019, so the dealer repair is open for included vehicles. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost to the owner.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the wheelchair lift platform can travel higher than the vehicle floor. If the platform stops above floor height, a wheelchair user can tip inward toward the vehicle while exiting the lift, increasing injury risk. The free repair replaces the failed positioning input cam.
What if I bought this Turtle Top transit bus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Vanterra, Odyssey, or Terra Transit is included, then give recall number 18V603 to the Turtle Top dealer service desk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V603000 |
|---|---|
| Turtle Top customer service | 1-800-296-2105 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V603 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V603000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →