The defect
MY 2003 MBII & MBIV SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 & E-450, GM 3500 CHASSIS, AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 25 AND SEPTEMBER 17, 2003. THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH BEAM'S INDUSTRIES SEAT BELTS. THE METAL FRAME OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY FRACTURE DUE TO POSSIBLE EMBRITTLEMENT OF THE STEEL, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL RELEASE OF THE ENGAGED TONGUE DURING USE. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH, AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy
BEAM'S INDUSTRIES WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF GIRARDIN DIRECTLY AND WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE REMEDY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BEAM'S AT 1-888-343-9266 OR GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-8222.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Girardin Mbii | 2003 |
| Girardin Mbiv | 2003 |
Components: SEAT BELTS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girardin Mbii | 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Girardin Mbiv | 2003 | 0 | 1 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2003
17 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the seat belts; GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC. filed 25 campaigns in all.
| 03V534000 19 Dec 2003 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 03V515000 15 Dec 2003 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 03V506000 9 Dec 2003 | STARCRAFT BUS AND MOBILITY |
| 03V507000 5 Dec 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V391000 10 Oct 2003 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 03V362000 8 Oct 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V333000 8 Sept 2003 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 03V290000 5 Aug 2003 | HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003