The problem
Corp. Micro bird has notified nhtsa about a defect in certain model year 2007 through 2010 school buses manufactured between december 2007 and march 2010 fitted with ricon public use s and k series wheelchair lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. Ricon has discovered, however, that it is possible for the operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism. In this case, the restraint belt would appear to be latched, and the operator could run the lift. If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged into the restraint belt buckle, and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform.
The risk
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.
The fix
Micro bird is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The safety recall began on m,arch 31, 2010. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or micro bird at 1-819-477-2012.
Contacts
Micro bird's campaign number is 10-036-riu. 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 10V121000.
- 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.