The 1996 Amtran Re has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 126,114 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STRUCTURE03V3540002003-09-2366,749 affected
Defect
CE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. THE ROOF TOP SHEET MAY BE IMPROPERLY LOCATED, REDUCING THE MATERIAL EDGE DISTANCE AT THE RIVET LINE.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE JOINT STRENGHT COULD FAIL POSSIBILY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy
IC WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND WILL PROVIDE INSPECTION AND REPAIR INSTRUCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT IC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT (WE DO NOT…
VISIBILITY01V2410002001-11-2011,944 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES WERE BUILT WITH A POOR QUALITY HEATER/DEFROSTER BLOWER SWITCH. IN SOME CASES THIS HAS CAUSED THE MELTING OF THE HEATER HARNESS CONNECTOR AT THE SWITCH TERMINALS OR THE HIGH-SPEED WIRE INSULATION AT THE CONNECTOR. ALSO, SOME OF THE UNITS HAD IMPROPER CIRCUIT…
Consequence
IF AN OPERATOR DETECTS SMOKE OR THE SMELL OF MELTING WIRE INSULATION FROM THE BLOWER CONTROL PANEL, THE OPERATION OF THE HEATER/DEFROSTER AT HIGH SPEED SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED UNTIL THE REPAIR IS MADE.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND SWITCH HARNESS WITH A NEW SWITCH, SWITCH HARNESS, RELAY AND RELAY HARNESS. FOR THE RE UNITS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1999, THE KIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A 20-AMPERE MANUAL CIRCUIT BREAKER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2001. OWNERS…
EQUIPMENT01V0570002001-02-23554 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. SOME CERTIFICATION LABELS DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRE SPECIFIED TO MEET THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE FRONT AND/OR REAR AXLES. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER…
Consequence
UNDER OR OVER-INFLATED TIRES CAN CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN BLOWOUT OR OTHER FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
NEW CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE BEING PROVIDED TO OWNERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE CERTIFICATION LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AMTRAN AT 1-800-993-7686.
SEATS99V0610001999-03-237,738 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH FLIP SEATS AT THE EMERGENCY EXITS. THE SEAT CUSHION HINGE ON THE COMBINATION FLIP SEAT IS LOCATED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT IS WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT LOCATED BEHIND THE COMBO FLIP SEAT.
Consequence
THE HINGES ON THE COMBO FLIP SEAT CAN CAUSE A PINCHING CONDITION, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND SENT KITS TO REMEDY THESE SEATS.
STRUCTURE98V3010001998-12-0137,656 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES. THE EMERGENCY DOOR HINGES THAT CONSIST OF STEEL PIN FITTINGS AND/OR LACKLUBRICATION CAN BIND FROM RUST AND/OR CORROSION.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN OPENING THE DOORS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. THE OWNERS CAN CONTACT AN AMTRAN DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE IF THEY SO DESIRE.
STEERING97V0480001997-03-271,473 affected
Defect
THE LOW PRESSURE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE CAN EITHER BURST OR BECOME DISCONNECTED DUE TO INCREASED FLUID VISCOSITY IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES.
Consequence
IF THE LOW PRESSURE RETURN HOSE BURSTS OR SEPARATES, THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING AND A REDUCTION IN POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETURN HOSES WITH A HOSE THAT CAN TOLERATE HIGHER PRESSURES, USE IMPROVED CLAMPS AND A POWER STEERING FLUID THAT IS LESS VISCOUS IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES.
Complaints by component
STRUCTURE
3
Total complaints3
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“'j' hooks that hold the body to the frame were missing, causing body to shift on the frame. (1st vehicle on 509555)”
“"j" hooks that hold the body to the frame were missing. (2nd vehicle on 509556)”
“"j" hooks that hold the body to the frame were missing.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE03023 Opened 2003-06-04 · closed 2003-08-20
STEERING SHAFT BOLT BINDS ON COVER
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SCHOOL BUS FLEET ALLEGING THAT A BUS DRIVER COULD NOT STEER WHILE ATTEMPING TO MAKE A TURN.A SECOND FLEET CONTACTED ODI AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ODI EXAMINED THE BUSES AND FOUND THE STEERING BOOT GETS TWISTED AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT, CREATING HIGHSTEERING…
InvestigationPE97026 Opened 1997-06-13 · closed 1997-10-31
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Amtran Re as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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