The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·10V121000·Announced 2010-03-25

Micro Bird School Buses Recalled for Wheelchair Lift Restraint Defect

Micro Bird is recalling certain 2007-2010 school buses because wheelchair lift restraint belts may not latch securely, posing an injury risk to users.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.

Plain-English summary

Micro Bird, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2010 school buses manufactured between December 2007 and March 2010. The affected vehicles are fitted with Ricon Public Use S and K series wheelchair lifts. The recall covers 103 units, including Micro Bird MB II and G5 School Buses, and Girardin G5 School Buses.

The defect involves the restraint belt on the wheelchair lifts, which is designed to prevent the lift from moving unless the belt tongue is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. Ricon discovered that it is possible for an operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism. In this scenario, the belt appears to be latched, and the operator could run the lift. If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform, which could result in injury to the user.

Ricon will handle the remedy for this campaign. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a DVD-based training aid. The safety recall began on March 31, 2010. Owners may contact Ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or Micro Bird at 1-819-477-2012. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
MICRO BIRD, GIRARDIN MB II SCHOOL BUS, G5, G5 SCHOOL BUS
Brand
MICRO BIRD
Manufacturer
CORP. MICRO BIRD, INC.
Category
Vehicle — School Bus
Hazard
Affected units
103

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • MB II SCHOOL BUS
  • G5
  • G5 SCHOOL BUS

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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