Girardin Transit Buses Recalled for Emergency Window Defect
Girardin and Micro Bird transit buses are recalled because emergency exit windows may fail to open or restrain occupants during a crash.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect could cause injury or death of vehicle occupants in the event of a crash, which aligns with the rubric criteria for significant injury reports or structural vehicle defects.
Plain-English summary
Girardin is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 G5 and 2003 through 2006 MB IV transit buses, as well as Micro Bird by Girardin model year 2009 through 2010 G5 transit buses. The recall involves 130 vehicles that fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217 regarding bus emergency exits and window retention and release.
The vehicles are equipped with thermal T-slider or panoramic type push-out windows with two release mechanisms. The window handle base spacer plate can tear due to the rotation of the exterior window frame. In the event of a crash, the emergency exit could not sufficiently restrain the occupants or become inoperable. This could cause occupants to be thrown from the vehicle or be unable to open the emergency exits, potentially resulting in injury or death.
Girardin will notify owners and provide parts to perform the repair along with instructions free of charge. The safety recall began on October 8, 2010. Owners may contact Micro Bird at 1-819-477-2012 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- GIRARDIN, MICRO BIRD G5, MB IV, G5 TRANSIT BUS
- Brand
- GIRARDIN
- Manufacturer
- CORP. MICRO BIRD, INC.
- Category
- Vehicle — Transit Bus
- Affected units
- 130
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)
- G5
- MB IV
- G5 TRANSIT BUS
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · GIRARDIN
- HighMicro Bird Recalls G5 School Buses Due to Wheelchair Lift Latch Defect
NHTSA · 2012-04-12
- SevereMicro Bird Recalls Girardin G5 School Buses for Wiring Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2011-06-06
- HighGirardin MB IV Transit Buses Recalled for Electrical Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2010-12-27
- SevereGirardin School Buses Recalled for Potential Electrical Fire Hazard
NHTSA · 2010-12-21
- SevereGirardin G5 School Buses Recalled for Structural Joint Defect
NHTSA · 2010-12-15
Same manufacturer · CORP. MICRO BIRD, INC.
See all →- SevereMicro Bird Recalls 2025-2026 G5e School Buses for Wiring Harness Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-11
- SevereMicro Bird Recalls 2025-2026 G5e Transit Buses for Wiring Harness Defect
NHTSA · 2026-09-11
- SevereMicro Bird Recalls School Buses Due to Oil Line Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-05-06
- SevereMicro Bird Recalls G5 Transit Buses Due to Oil Line Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-05-06
- HighMicro Bird Transit Bus Recall for Wheelchair Tie-Down Installation Error
NHTSA · 2026-03-13
Same hazard · emergency exit failure
See all →- HighVolvo Bus 9700 Recall for Missing Emergency Exit Instructions
NHTSA · 2026-09-18
- High
- High
- High
- HighMicro Bird Recalls T-Series School Buses for Ignition Interlock Defect
NHTSA · 2024-11-07
Similar recalls
- HighMicro Bird Recalls G5 Transit Buses Due to Emergency Exit Obstruction
NHTSA · 2021-12-17
- High
- HighMicro Bird Transit Bus Recall for Rear Emergency Door Handle Defect
NHTSA · 2024-06-27
- SevereMicro Bird Recalls School and Transit Buses for Emergency Door Defect
NHTSA · 2020-03-06
- SevereMicro Bird Recalls G5 School Buses for Seat Reinforcement Defect
NHTSA · 2010-02-25
- HighMicro Bird Recalls G5 Transit Buses Due to Wheelchair Lift Latch Defect
NHTSA · 2012-04-05