The problem
Blue bird is recalling 45 my 2008-2009 micro-bird school buses manufactured from october 1, 2007 through january 28, 2008, mounted on general motors chassis with option 3016-05 or 30117-05 led rear turn signals. These buses fail to comply with the flash rate requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The subject lights operate at approximately 180 flashes per minute and the standard requirement is 60-120 flashes per minute.
The risk
This standard specifies requirements for required original and replacement lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment and their installation. The purpose is to reduce traffic crashes, deaths and injuries resulting from crashes by providing adequate illumination of the roadway, and enhancing the conspicuity of motor vehicles on the public roads so that their presence is perceived and their signals understood, both in daylight and in darkness or other conditions of reduced visibility.
The fix
Owners will be provided with a resistor to be installed in the turn signal circuit which will bring the led rear turn signal flash rate with standard requirements. The recall began on march 31, 2008. Owners may contact blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Contacts
Blue bird recall no. R08mx. Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.
What to do
- 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.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Blue Bird dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 08V062000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.