Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Component
- Equipment adaptive/mobility
- Manufacturer
- BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 632
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2007-02-08
- Owners notified
- 2007-02-26
Defect description
CERTAIN BLUE BIRD 2007 AND 2008 VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 9 AND OCTOBER 27, 2006. THE LIFT INNER BARRIER INTERLOCK SWITCH SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER ON THE INNER BARRIER AND ALLOW THE PLATFORM TO MOVE DOWN MORE THAN ONE INCH BELOW FLOOR LEVEL WHILE OCCUPIED WHICH DOES NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT THIS CONDITION OCCURS DURING PASSENGER OPERATIONS IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT TO TIP BACKWARDS ONTO THE PLATFORM IF THE USER IS BACKING ONTO THE LIFT FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAS THE SMALL FRONT WHEELS FULLY OR PARTIALLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM WAS LOWERED. A STANDEE COULD LOOSE HIS OR HER BALANCE IF THEY WERE POSITIONED FULLY OR PARTLY ON THE INNER BARRIER WHEN THE PLATFORM IS LOWERED. EITHER CONDITION COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E101). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 26, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-822-2242.