The defect
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,503 MY 2006-2008 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
The risk
A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
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 ALL American | 2006 | 2 | 15 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2007 | 4 | 21 |
| Blue Bird ALL American | 2008 | 4 | 32 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2006 | 0 | 8 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2007 | 0 | 6 |
| Blue Bird Conventional | 2008 | 1 | 7 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2006 | 0 | 10 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2007 | 0 | 10 |
| Blue Bird Micro Bird | 2008 | 0 | 16 |
Other equipment adaptive/mobility recalls in 2008
101 of the 683 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2008 concerned the equipment adaptive/mobility; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 08V689000 23 Dec 2008 | NEW ENGLAND WHEELS |
| 08V671000 18 Dec 2008 | DOUBLE K INC. |
| 08V677000 18 Dec 2008 | COLONIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY |
| 08V676000 18 Dec 2008 | COLONIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY |
| 08V675000 18 Dec 2008 | A WORK OF ART MFG. |
| 08V670000 17 Dec 2008 | DOUBLE K INC. |
| 08V672000 17 Dec 2008 | KINGMOR SUPPLY, INC. |
| 08V673000 17 Dec 2008 | KINGMOR SUPPLY, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2008