2006 Blue Bird MICRO BIRD: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)

CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE STOP ARM SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)

CERTAIN BLUE BIRD 2002 THROUGH 2006 MY ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, MINIBIRD, MICROBIRD, VISION, AND TC2000 SCHOOL BUSES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING MOTORISTS SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ALL ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN OR NEAR ANY OF THE STATES LISTED ABOVE, BLUE BIRD IS ENCOURAGING THE BUS OWNERS TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH. FOR THOSE BUSES OPERATED IN THE WARMER STATES, BLUE BIRD WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH UPON OWNER REQUEST. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO REQUEST THE REMEDY, BLUE BIRD WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED. THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON AUGUST 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2005-11-21 (November 21, 2005)

CERTAIN 2006 MY BLUE BIRD MICROBIRD SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH A WHEELCHAIR LIFT MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1 AND NOVEMBER 14, 2005. THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, AND 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES."

Consequence: THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR MAY BE MOVED INTO A DRIVE GEAR ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AND THEREBY ENDANGERING WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANTS ON THE LIFT AND PERSONS OUTSIDE THE BUS IN THE VICINITY OF THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES BY INSTALLING THE REQUIRED SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2006-02-24 (February 24, 2006)

CERTAIN BLUE BIRD MY 2006 MICRO BIRD SCHOOL BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE AFFECTED BUSES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN 8 INCH BUMPER RATHER THAN A 10 INCH BUMPER.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BUMPER MAY INADEQUATELY PROTECT COMPONENTS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS COULD RESULT IN A POST-CRASH FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE BUMPER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2001 THROUGH 2007 BLUE BIRD MICRO BIRD MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MOUNTED ON FORD DIESEL CHASSIS PRODUCED WITH AN OPTIONAL BATTERY COMPARTMENT MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 14, 2000, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5, 2007. A FUSIBLE LINK PROVIDED ON THE FORD CHASSIS PDU POWER CABLE WAS REMOVED WHEN THE CABLE WAS SHORTENED TO ACCOMMODATE AN OPTIONAL BATTERY COMPARTMENT.

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES BY INSTALLING A FUSIBLE LINK IN THE PDU POWER CABLE CIRCUIT AND WILL ALSO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE LOOM TO BE USED AS TEMPORARY PROTECTION AROUND ANY SECTIONS OF THE POWER CABLE THAT THE OWNER IDENTIFIES AS BEING DAMAGED OR CHAFED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 8, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.

Reported: 2007-12-11 (December 11, 2007)

CERTAIN 2006 AND 2007 MY BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 16, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2006, EQUIPPED WITH MODEL 900 SERIES WHEELCHAIR LIFTS MANUFACTURED BY THE BRAUN CORPORATION. THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT ACTIVATE AS DESIGNED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY BLUE BIRD INSTRUCTING THEM TO CONTACT BRAUN FOR FREE REPAIR. THE RECALL JANUARY 16, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT EITHER BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242 OR BRAUN PRODUCT SUPPORT AT 1-800-946-7513.

Reported: 2008-04-10 (April 10, 2008)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,129 MY 2006-2008 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 3, 2005 AND FEBRUARY 15, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH RICON MODEL 1200, 2000, AND 5500 PLATFORM STYLE WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2008-08-12 (August 12, 2008)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,503 MY 2006-2008 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2008-08-26 (August 26, 2008)

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 803 MY 2006 THROUGH 2009 MICRO BIRD SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 20, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT ENABLE SWITCH, IF SET TO THE "OFF" POSITION WHILE THE LIFT IS DEPLOYED CAN RENDER THE WHEELCHAIR INTERLOCKS INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: WHEN THE LIFT ENABLE SWITCH IS ACTIVATED THE DOOR BRAKE INTERLOCKS COULD BE DISABLED AND THE BUS COULD BE MOVED WHILE THE LIFT IS DEPLOYED WHICH COULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Reported: 2009-11-20 (November 20, 2009)

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 BLUE BIRD MICRO BIRD SINGLE REAR WHEEL MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2005 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27, 2009, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, THEN THE TIRE AND LOADING PLACARD SHOULD INDICATE "NONE" UNDER THE SIZE AND RECOMMENDED TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE. THE PLACARD LISTED INFLATION PRESSURE FOR A SPARE TIRE THAT WAS THE SAME AS THE FRONT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE.

Consequence: INFLATION PRESSURE REQUIRED FOR THE REAR TIRES COULD BE HIGHER THAN THE FRONT TIRE WHICH COULD CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: BLUE BIRD WILL PROVIDE REPLACEMENT TIRE AND LOADING PLACARDS WITH THE APPROPRIATE SPARE TIRE INDICATED TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.