Blue Bird Equipment Adaptive / Mobility Recall 10V133000

The problem

Blue bird has notified nhtsa about a defect in certain model year 2008 through 2011 all american, conventional, and micro bird school buses manufactured from december 13, 2007 through january 18, 2010 equipped with ricon model s or k series public use 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

Blue 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 april 27, 2010. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or blue bird at 1-478-822-2242.

Contacts

Blue bird's recall campaign number is r10rt. 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 10V133000.
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.

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Grade
2008 Blue Bird All American	4	32	F
2009 Blue Bird All American	3	33	F
2010 Blue Bird All American	0	42	F
2011 Blue Bird All American	0	35	F
2008 Blue Bird Conventional	1	7	D
2009 Blue Bird Conventional	0	2	B
2010 Blue Bird Conventional	1	3	C
2011 Blue Bird Conventional	1	1	A
2008 Blue Bird Micro Bird	0	16	F
2009 Blue Bird Micro Bird	0	14	F
2010 Blue Bird Micro Bird	0	12	F
2011 Blue Bird Micro Bird	0	5	D

Vehicle

Complaints

Recalls

Grade

2008 Blue Bird All American

2009 Blue Bird All American

2010 Blue Bird All American

2011 Blue Bird All American

2008 Blue Bird Conventional

2009 Blue Bird Conventional

2010 Blue Bird Conventional

2011 Blue Bird Conventional

2008 Blue Bird Micro Bird

2009 Blue Bird Micro Bird

2010 Blue Bird Micro Bird

2011 Blue Bird Micro Bird

Questions

Is the 10V133000 recall repair free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix safety recalls free of charge. BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY's dealers do the work; the remedy is described above.

How do I know if my vehicle is part of recall 10V133000?

Not every vehicle of a listed model year is included. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call a dealer with your VIN.

When was recall 10V133000 announced?

BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY reported it to NHTSA on April 5, 2010. Owners are usually notified by mail within about two months.

Equipment adaptive / mobility Blue Bird recall