The problem
Blue Bird is recalling model year 2013 All American and Vision school buses manufactured from April 30, 2012, through June 23, 2012. Driver's seat belts may have been inadvertently installed with mismatched buckles which fails to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." The latch plate (tongue) on one style buckle may mate up to another style buckle receiver, but the latch plate may not be properly engaged.
The risk
Should this condition occur, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained and could be injured in an accident or sudden stop.
The fix
Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will repair the buses free of charge. The safety recall began on August 23, 2012. Owners may contact Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242.
Contacts
Blue Bird's recall campaign number is R12VH. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to 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 12V359000.
- 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.