The problem
Blue bird is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 all american, vision, and micro bird school buses manufactured between april 18, 2008 and february 11, 2009, 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. The lights may stop functioning without warning.
The risk
Should the led lights stop functioning, visibility of a stopped bus would be decreased, possibly endangering a child or pedestrian to injury by passing vehicles.
The fix
Blue bird will notify owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. Repairs will be performed by smi. The safety recall began on september 24, 2009. Owners may contact smi warranty service at 1-800-951-7867 or blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Contacts
Blue bird's recall campaign number r09ps. 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 Blue Bird dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 09V335000.
- 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.