The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·10V137000·Announced 2010-04-05

Blue Bird Recalls 2010 All American Buses Due to Wheelchair Lift Defect

Blue Bird is recalling 2010 All American transit buses because a software defect in certain wheelchair lifts may cause the platform to overrun the floor level, posing a fall risk.

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 (wheelchair lift) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for potential falls and tip-overs.

Plain-English summary

Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain model year 2010 All American transit buses manufactured between September 23 and November 19, 2009. These vehicles are equipped with specific RICON S Series and K Series L-Model wheelchair lifts that contain a software defect in the "up" function. If the "up" switch is released before the floor level limit switch is activated, the lift may continue traveling upward for approximately one second, potentially overrunning the floor level cut-off point.

When the platform overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees, there is a possibility that a person in a wheelchair could tip over or a person standing on the platform could fall, possibly resulting in injuries. No specific number of affected units is provided in the source text.

Blue Bird will notify owners, and repairs will be performed by authorized RICON dealers free of charge. As RICON is currently developing a software solution, the company will initially provide owners with a bulletin outlining proper wheelchair lift operation and ship a DVD-based training aid at no cost. The safety recall began on May 4, 2010. Owners may contact RICON at 1-818-267-3000 or Blue Bird at 1-478-822-2242.

The recalled product

Product
BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
Brand
BLUE BIRD
Affected units
5

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 (1)

  • ALL AMERICAN

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.