CORP. MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 GIRARDIN MB IV TRANSIT BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND GM CUTAWAY CHASSIS FROM AUGUST 2, 1999, THROUGH MAY 8, 2002, AND EQUIPPED WITH A TRANS/AIR TA73 EVAPORATOR. THE EVAPORATOR UTILIZES A POWER RESISTOR TO REGULATE BLOWER SPEED. SHOULD A SHORT OCCUR IN THE "LOW OR MEDIUM SPEED" CIRCUIT WHILE THE BLOWER IS IN HIGH SPEED, THE SHORT WILL CAUSE THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE TO FEEDBACK THROUGH THE RESISTOR TO GROUND, NOT DRAWING ENOUGH CURRENT TO TRIP THE FUSE.
Safety risk
THIS WOULD CAUSE THE RESISTOR TEMPERATURE TO RISE TO A POINT WHERE IT WILL MELT AND POSSIBLY IGNITE THE PLASTIC BLOWER HOUSING TO WHICH IT IS MOUNTED. THE OVERHEATING CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
CORP. MICRO BIRD IN COOPERATION WITH TRANS/AIR WILL INSTALL A THERMAL SHUTDOWN DEVICE IN SERIES WITH THE SPEED RESISTORS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRANS/AIR WARRANTY AND SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-673-2446.
CERTAIN GIRARDIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 MB II & MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND AUGUST 8, 2005, AND EQUIPPED WITH "5" SERIES STOP ARMS MANUFACTURED BY SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING COMPANY. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.
Safety risk
SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.
Manufacturer remedy
GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-800-951-7867.
CERTAIN MBII AND MBIV SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 & E-450, GM 3500 CHASSIS, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1999, AND DECEMBER 31, 2003, AND EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR TIE-DOWN SECUREMENT ASSEMBLIES P/N 8625-13. THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE LOAD PAWL NOT TO FULLY SEAT IN THE SPROCKET TEETH.
Safety risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Manufacturer remedy
SURE-LOK WILL NOTIFY GIRARDIN'S CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOK AT 1-908-231-1804.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.