The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2008, 2009 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2008 | 0 | 16 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2009 | 0 | 14 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2008
21 of the 683 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2008 concerned the exterior lighting; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 08V688000 23 Dec 2008 | MACK TRUCKS, INC |
| 08V680000 19 Dec 2008 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 08V628000 2 Dec 2008 | ROADTREK MOTORHOMES INC. |
| 08V602000 19 Nov 2008 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 08V539000 15 Oct 2008 | MONACO COACH CORPORATION |
| 08V520000 6 Oct 2008 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. |
| 08V503000 26 Sept 2008 | FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC. |
| 08V417000 15 Aug 2008 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2008