NHTSA Service Bulletin 51429: 1991 Amtran Volunteer
Official manufacturer communication context for 1991 Amtran Volunteer, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.
Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.
RECALL 97V-014 - OPTIONAL HANDRAIL MOUNTED FORWARD OF ENTRANCE DOOR(TO RIGHT WHEN ENTERING BUS) ON SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ENTANGLEMENT HAZARD LOCATED AT THE LOWER ATTATCHEMENT POINT OF THE HANDRAIL AND THE SIDEWALL OF THE STEPWELL - CERTAIN SMALL OBJECTS MAY BE CAUGHT IN THESE AREAS SUCH AS COAT TIE STRINGS WITH DRAW STRING CLIPS OR OTHER OBJECTS ATTATCHED - SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, AND THE DRIVER DOES NOT PROPERLY OBSERVE THE PERSON EXITING THE BUS, THE PERSON MAY EXIT THE BUS WITH THE STRING CAPTURED - THE DOOR MAY BE CLOSED AND THE BUS MOVED CAUSING POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE PASSENGER EXITING THE BUS - VEHICLES INVOLVED - VOLUNTEER AND AMTRAN CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL BUSSES WITH HANDRAILS MOUNTED FORWARD OF ENTRANCE DOOR, BUILT FROM JANUARY 1, 1991 THROUGH JANUARY 20, 1997 - REPAIR PROCEDURES - REMOVE AND DISCARD THE ENTIRE HANDRAIL - IF STATE OR LOCAL CODES PROHIBIT THE REMOVAL OF THE HANDRAIL, ORDER AND INSTALL A RUBBER SPACER (#436496001) AT THE LOWER ATTATCHEMENT POINT OF THE HANDRAIL USING THE FASTENER PROVIDED - RECALL 97V-014. *TW
What this bulletin may mean before buying
Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.
Affected products listed in this communication
Buyer checklist
- Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
- Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
- Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
- Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
- Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA service bulletin 51429?
RECALL 97V-014 - OPTIONAL HANDRAIL MOUNTED FORWARD OF ENTRANCE DOOR(TO RIGHT WHEN ENTERING BUS) ON SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN ENTANGLEMENT HAZARD LOCATED AT THE LOWER ATTATCHEMENT POINT OF THE HANDRAIL AND THE SIDEWALL OF THE STEPWELL - CERTAIN SMALL OBJECTS MAY BE CAUGHT IN THESE AREAS SUCH AS COAT TIE STRINGS WITH DRAW STRING CLIPS OR OTHER OBJECTS ATTATCHED - SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, AND THE DRIVER DOES NOT.
Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?
No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.
How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?
Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.
Check the exact VIN before you buy
Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.
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