2004 Girardin MB II: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2005-01-24 (January 24, 2005)

CERTAIN GIRARDIN MINIBUS MY 2004 AND 2005 MB II AND MBIV FORD DIESEL SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL BBX (BATTERY BOX) MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 14, 2004 AND FEBRUARY 9, 2005. THE ELECTRICAL CABLES (P/NOS. 27DF01 AND 27DF3001) BETWEEN THE BATTERIES AND THE BATTERY JUNCTION BOX (UNDER THE HOOD) HAS NO FUSABLE LINK FOR CABLE PROTECTION.

Consequence: THERE IS NO PROTECTION ON THE ELECTRICAL CABLE AND IF THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT, IT MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL A FUSABLE LINK AT THE END OF THE CABLE ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 819-477-8222.

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: 2007-12-14 (December 14, 2007)

CERTAIN MY 2004 THROUGH 2008 GIRARDIN MB II AND MB IV SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL MINIBUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 14, 2004, AND NOVEMBER 28, 2007, BUILT ON FORD E350 AND E450 DIESEL CHASSIS. THE AFFECTED BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTION BBX (BATTERY BOX). THE PROTECTION FROM ABRASION ON THE BATTERY CABLES THAT CROSS IN THE BATTERY BOX IS INADEQUATE. IT MAY CREATE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN CASE THE ABRASION BETWEEN THE CABLES IS EXCESSIVE.

Consequence: THIS SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES BY ADDING PROTECTIVE TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 819-477-8222.