Exterior lighting: turn signal
- Component
- Exterior lighting: turn signal
- Manufacturer
- BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 45
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2008-02-07
- Owners notified
- 2008-03-31
Defect description
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 45 MY 2008-2009 MICRO-BIRD SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 1, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2008, MOUNTED ON GENERAL MOTORS CHASSIS WITH OPTION 3016-05 OR 30117-05 LED REAR TURN SIGNALS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE FLASH RATE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE SUBJECT LIGHTS OPERATE AT APPROXIMATELY 180 FLASHES PER MINUTE AND THE STANDARD REQUIREMENT IS 60-120 FLASHES PER MINUTE.
Safety risk
THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR REQUIRED ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND THEIR INSTALLATION. THE PURPOSE IS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CRASHES, DEATHS AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM CRASHES BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY, AND ENHANCING THE CONSPICUITY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS SO THAT THEIR PRESENCE IS PERCEIVED AND THEIR SIGNALS UNDERSTOOD, BOTH IN DAYLIGHT AND IN DARKNESS OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A RESISTOR TO BE INSTALLED IN THE TURN SIGNAL CIRCUIT WHICH WILL BRING THE LED REAR TURN SIGNAL FLASH RATE WITH STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.