Seats Blue Bird recall

The problem

Certain school buses equipped with optional high back seats with 9" split sash, pushout windows fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "Bus emergency exits and window retention and release." The affected units have seats located incorrectly with respect to the pushout window openings.

The risk

In the event of an emergency, an occupant may not be able to properly exit the vehicle.

The fix

Dealers will relocate the seats and pushout windows. Owner notification began july 24, 2002. 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 blue bird at 1-478-825-2021.

Contacts

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

What to do

1. Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
2. Call a dealer. Any authorized Blue Bird dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 02V155000.
3. Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
4. Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.