2010 Micro Bird G5 TRANSIT BUS: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-08-13 (August 13, 2010)

CERTAIN GIRARDIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AND MICRO BIRD BY GIRARDIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 G5 AND 2003 THROUGH 2006 GIRARDIN MB IV TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXISTS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THERMAL T-SLIDER OR PANORAMIC TYPE PUSH-OUT WINDOWS WITH 2 RELEASE MECHANISMS (ONE ON EACH SIDE). THE WINDOW HANDLE BASE SPACER PLATE CAN TEAR DUE TO THE ROTATION OF THE EXTERIOR WINDOW FRAME.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE EMERGENCY EXIT COULD NOT SUFFICIENTLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) OR BECOME INOPERABLE. THE OCCUPANT(S) COULD BE THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE OR NOT BE CAPABLE OF OPENING THE EMERGENCY EXITS WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S).

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL 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.

Reported: 2011-06-06 (June 6, 2011)

MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 GIRARDIN G5 AND 2009 AND 2010 AND 2011 MICRO BIRD G5 NON SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD CUTAWAY CHASSIS FROM FEBRUARY 2006 THROUGH MAY 30, 2011. THE OEM CUTAWAY WIRING HARNESS PASSES JUST REARWARD OF THE DRIVER SEAT BETWEEN THE B PILLAR AND THE RAISED FLOOR. THE RAISED FLOOR JUST REARWARD OF THE DRIVER SEAT IS TRAPPING THE WIRE HARNESS CAUSING THE WIRES TO RUB AGAINST THE METAL FLOOR MOLDING, DAMAGING THE WIRE INSULATION.

Consequence: A WIRE WITH DAMAGED INSULATION MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH CAN LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MICRO BIRD AT 1-819-477-2012.

Reported: 2012-04-05 (April 5, 2012)

MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 MICRO BIRD G5 TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BRAUN CENTURY-2 AND VISTA-2 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.

Consequence: A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIR’S OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED BRAUN DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MICRO BIRD AT 1-819-477-2012.

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

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 MB II and G5 transit 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 on December 1, 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: 2015-11-19 (November 19, 2015)

Corp. Micro Bird Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 MB II, G5, and CT-Series transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2014, 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 13, 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-RUC.

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 2003-2015 MBII, 2015-2021 T-Series, and 2006-2022 G5 transit 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, 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 9, 2021. Owners may contact Micro Bird's customer service at 1-819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 21-087-DUC.

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

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2008-2024 G5, 2008-2015 MBII, and 2015-2023 T-Series transit 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 vehicle, 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-EUC.

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

Corp. Micro Bird, Inc. (Micro Bird) is recalling certain 2002-2015 MB II, 2008-2026 G5, and 2015-2026 T-Series transit 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 29, 2026. Owners can contact Micro Bird Customer Service at 819-477-2012. Micro Bird's number for this recall is 26-120-AUC.