2012 Micro Bird G5 SCHOOL BUS: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-12-23 (December 23, 2011)

MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2012 G5 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 24, 2009, THROUGH DECEMBER 3, 2011. THE JOINT ON THE METAL CEILING PANEL FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, "SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE METAL CEILING PANEL MAY PARTIALLY SEPARATE FROM THE BODY STRUCTURE CREATING AN OPENING. A PASSENGER IS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY IF THEY ARE EJECTED OR STRIKE THE CEILING PANEL.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MICRO BIRD AT 1-819-477-2012.

Reported: 2012-07-25 (July 25, 2012)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 Micro Bird G5 school buses manufactured from April 1, 2011, through June 26, 2012, equipped with ProLo roof escape hatches made by Specialty Manufacturing, Incorporated. Increased friction between the rear plate assemblies, p/no. 009327, and the nylon rear pop-up support, p/no. 008956, may result in an opening force of the ProLo roof hatches that exceeds Federal standard requirements. Thus, these hatches fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence: In the event of an emergency, egress of the bus may be hindered possibly resulting in injury to the vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners. Specialty Manufacturing, Inc.(SMI) will provide service kits along with repair instructions to dealers and owners, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 31, 2012. Owners may contact Micro Bird at 1-819-477-2012 or SMI at 1-800-951-7867.

Reported: 2014-06-06 (June 6, 2014)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Micro Bird G5 school buses manufactured September 20, 2010, through June 13, 2013, and equipped with a Roush CleanTech LLC propane fuel system. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected vehicles may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.

Consequence: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum fuel line fitting with a new stainless steel fitting, free of charge. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 14-057-RSU.

Reported: 2014-10-06 (October 6, 2014)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 MB II and G5 school buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to January 9, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began during December 2014. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012 extension 401 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 14-058-RIU.

Reported: 2015-11-18 (November 18, 2015)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 MBII, G5, and T-Series school buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.

Consequence: If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 15-063-RUS.

Reported: 2017-12-12 (December 12, 2017)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2006-2017 G5 school buses with an unloaded weight more than 10,013 pounds. In a rollover, the roof may crush excessively. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 220, "School Bus Rollover Protection."

Consequence: If roof crushes more than the rollover standards allow for the weight and configuration of the bus, the occupants have a greater risk of injury in the event of a rollover crash.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners, and dealers will modify the buses to prevent the roof from crushing excessively in a rollover, free of charge. The recall began on January 26, 2018. For more information, owners may contact Micro Bird at 1-819-475-9633. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 17-072-GUS.

Reported: 2018-07-18 (July 18, 2018)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Micro Bird G5, MB-II, and T-series school buses, equipped with CE White/HSM SB11-30" series, standard, unbelted, school bus seats, or SB11-30" series school bus seats with lap belts only. The foam in the knee impact area of the lower seat back may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence: If the seat foam does not absorb enough impact energy, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners and dealers will insert an additional piece of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam into the seatback, free of charge. Micro Bird issued interim notifications to owners on September 12, 2018. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 18-074-SUS.

Reported: 2018-08-30 (August 30, 2018)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Micro Bird G5, MBII, and T-Series school buses, equipped with certain S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts, models K200, K201, K550, K551, S200, S2201, S550 and S551. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam may fail while the lift is in use, allowing the platform to travel higher than the vehicle's floor height. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."

Consequence: If the wheelchair lift platform stops above the vehicle floor, the wheelchair user can tip inwards toward the vehicle when exiting the lift, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will replace the injection molded cam with a new aluminum machined cam. The recall is expected to begin October 22, 2018. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 18-077-RUS.

Reported: 2020-03-06 (March 6, 2020)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2004-2021 T-Series, G5, and MBII school buses. The emergency door retaining device may fail to keep the door in an open position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Consequence: If the emergency door won't stay open during an evacuation it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Micro Bird will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit to repair the emergency door retaining device, free of charge. The recall April 24, 2020. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 20-084-RUS.

Reported: 2021-07-13 (July 13, 2021)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2003-2022 MBII, T-Series, and G5 school buses. The emergency release handle on the service door may bind, not allowing the door panels to open.

Consequence: The service door may not open, preventing evacuation of the vehicle in case of emergency, and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will provide instructions on how to correctly adjust the service door, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 8, 2021. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 21-087-DUS.

Reported: 2022-04-28 (April 28, 2022)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2006-2021 MBII and G5 school buses. An inactive electrical harness that is secured in an opening in the B-pillar may become damaged from sharp edges inside the opening.

Consequence: A damaged electrical harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the electrical harness and remove the fuse linked to the main cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Micro Bird's customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 22-092-HUC.

Reported: 2022-04-28 (April 28, 2022)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2006-2021 MBII and G5 transit buses. An inactive electrical harness that is secured in an opening in the B-pillar may become damaged from sharp edges inside the opening.

Consequence: A damaged electrical harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the electrical harness and remove the fuse linked to the main cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Micro Bird's customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 22-092-HUS.

Reported: 2022-09-23 (September 23, 2022)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro) is recalling certain 2012-2023 G5, 2012-2023 MBII and 2015-2022 T-Series school buses. The power cable that provides electricity to the air conditioning control board may have a loose connection to the power stud on the board.

Consequence: A loose power cable connection may cause the control board to overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will redirect the power cable and secure the power cable connect as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 2, 2023. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 22-096-VUS.

Reported: 2023-11-23 (November 23, 2023)

Corp. Mirco Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2006-2008 G5, 2010-2012 G5, 2014-2015 G5, and 2020-2021 G5 school buses equipped with transversal wheelchair track anchorages. The wheelchair track anchorages may not sufficiently secure a wheelchair and detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection."

Consequence: Wheelchair track anchorages that detach may not adequately restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reattach the transversal anchorages, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 23-104-TUS.

Reported: 2024-06-17 (June 17, 2024)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2011-2025 Micro Bird G5 school buses, equipped with certain tracked 2-place seats with lap and shoulder seat belts. The seats may be improperly attached. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence: An improperly attached seat can detach in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Micro Bird will provide instructions on how to inspect and reattach the seats as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 14, 2024. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 24-108-TUS.

Reported: 2024-06-27 (June 27, 2024)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2008-2025 G5, 2008-2024 MBII, and 2015-2024 T-Series school buses. The rear emergency door exterior handle may unexpectedly break under applied force.

Consequence: In the event of an emergency, a broken door handle can prevent or delay emergency responders from entering the bus, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear emergency door exterior handle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 24-109-EUS.

Reported: 2025-03-26 (March 26, 2025)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2012, 2015-2019, and 2024 G5 school buses equipped with Type 2 seat belts. The seat reinforcement supports may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Consequence: An insufficiently retained seat can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will install reinforcement supports, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Owners may contact Micro Bird customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 25-113-FUS.

Reported: 2026-03-13 (March 13, 2026)

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2003-2026 MB II, 2006-2026 G5, and 2015-2026 T-Series school buses. An installation error may prevent the wheelchair tie-downs from locking, leaving the wheelchair improperly secured.

Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit or a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the anchor screw cap as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners can contact Micro Bird Customer Service at 819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 26-120-AUS.