North American Bus Industries (NABI) is recalling certain model year 2000-2011 LFW, CLFW, BRT, 2007-2009 Blue Bird L4RE, and 2000-2009 Optima Opus transit buses equipped with Sure Power battery equalizers containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
Safety risk
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
NABI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the equalizers, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on January 27, 2014. Owners may contact NABI at 1-256-831-4296. NABI's recall number is 20136.
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Vehicles affected
811
Reported to NHTSA
2010-12-10
Owners notified
2011-01-03
Defect description
NABI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2011 LFW, CLFW, AND BRT TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2006, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2010, AND EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN EATON HYDRAULIC FAN DRIVER CONTROL MANIFOLDS WHICH MAY DEVELOP A HYDRAULIC LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID.
Safety risk
A LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALSO, A LEAK OF THIS FLUID COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Manufacturer remedy
NABI WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NABI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-256-831-4296.
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.