2003 Girardin MB II: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-04-07 (April 7, 2005)

CERTAIN MY 2003-2005 GIRARDIN MB II AND MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 20, 2003, AND DECEMBER 16, 2004, (SEE AMENDED NONCOMPLIANCE REPORT RECEIVED AUGUST 18, 2005) BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS. SEATS EQUIPPED WITH THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, 'SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.'

Consequence: THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT ABSORB ENOUGH ENERGY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL A FLAT BAR ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT WHERE THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGE IS BOLTED TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE SEAT BACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 819-477-8222.

Reported: 2005-08-04 (August 4, 2005)

CERTAIN GIRARDIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 MB II & MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND AUGUST 8, 2005, AND EQUIPPED WITH "5" SERIES STOP ARMS MANUFACTURED BY SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING COMPANY. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.

Consequence: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-800-951-7867.

Reported: 2005-08-22 (August 22, 2005)

CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2005 GIRARDIN MB II AND MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 17 AND OCTOBER 29, 2004. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE APPLIED TO THE ROOF SEAMS AND INTERIOR PANELS IS INADEQUATE FOR THE TYPE OF ADHESIVE USED WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. ALSO, DUE TO THE INADEQUATE JOINT STRENGTH, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE SEAT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AFFECTED PANELS AND SEATS MAY NOT RESIST AND THIS COULD POSSIBLY ENDANGER THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-8222.

Reported: 2007-12-13 (December 13, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2005 AND 2006 MB II AND MB IV SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2005 AND JUNE 2006, ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS WITH 6.6L ENGINES EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN LIFT MODELS NL916, NL917, AND NL919. THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT ACTIVATE AS DESIGNED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Consequence: SHOULD THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM FAIL TO OPERATE, THE LIFT USER CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY GIRARDIN INSTRUCTING THEM TO CONTACT BRAUN FOR FREE REPAIR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 18, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BRAUN PRODUCT SUPPORT AT 1-800-946-7513 OR GIRARDIN MINIBUS SERVICE AND WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AT 819-477-8222.