Equipment: labels Blue Bird recall

The problem

Certain coaches equipped with optional restroom fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 217, "Bus emergency exits and window retention and release." The pushout window located on the right side, at the rear of the bus, is substantially obstructed by the restroom and yet it is labeled as an emergency exit.

The risk

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

The fix

Distributors and owners will be notified to remove the label identifying the window as an emergency exit. Owner notification began september 20, 2002. Owners should contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242, if they have any questions.

Contacts

Also, customers can 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 02V230000.
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.