The problem
Girardin is recalling certain model year 2008 g5 and mb ii school buses manufactured between september 1, 2008, and october 31, 2008, equipped with specialty manufacturing, inc. (Smi) 000290 led light kits. A change to the wire used in the led light kits may reduce the effective life of the lights used on the stop arms and, as a result, the lights may stop functioning without warning.
The risk
Should the led lights stop functioning, visibility of a stopped bus and the stop arm would be decreased, thereby increasing the risk of a passing vehicle striking a child or other person entering or leaving the bus.
The fix
Girardin will notify owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. The safety recall began on august 20, 2009. Owners may contact smi warranty service at 1-800-951-7867 or girardin at 1-819-477-2012.
Contacts
Girardin's recall campaign no. 09-029-Sau. Owners 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 <a href=http://www.Safercar.Gov>http://www.Safercar.Gov</a> .
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 Girardin, Micro Bird dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 09V315000.
- 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.