2008 Micro Bird MB II SCHOOL BUS: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Reported: 2008-10-02 (October 2, 2008)

GIRARDIN IS RECALLING 40 MY 2008 MB II SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 2007 AND SEPTEMBER 19, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTION BBX (BATTERY BOX). A LONG BOLT WAS INSTALLED ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY POST OF THE BATTERY LOCATED IN THE BATTERY BOX. THE BOLT COULD MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BATTERY DRAWER'S LATCH.

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE LONG BOLT AND THE DRAWER'S LATCH MAY CREATE A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-8222 EXT. 401.

Reported: 2008-12-23 (December 23, 2008)

GIRARDIN IS RECALLING 210 MY 2008 AND 2009 MB II AND G5 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND DECEMBER 12, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS (OPTION SMK2, SBK3). THE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS INSERTED INTO THE TONGUE ASSEMBLY INCORRECTLY.

Consequence: THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT TIGHTEN AROUND THE OCCUPANT AND WILL NOT OFFER RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN 1-819-477-8222 EXT 401.

Reported: 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)

GIRARDIN IS RECALLING 210 MY 2008 AND 2009 MB II AND G5 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND DECEMBER 12, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS (OPTION SMK2, SBK3). THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE THE CORDING OR TAG IDENTIFICATION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence: THIS STANDARD REQUIRES PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF THE SEAT BELT MANUFACTURER FOR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE NONCOMPLIANT SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN 1-819-477-8222 EXT. 401.

Reported: 2009-08-04 (August 4, 2009)

GIRARDIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 G5 AND MB II SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2008, AND OCTOBER 31, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING, INC. (SMI) 000290 LED LIGHT KITS. A CHANGE TO THE WIRE USED IN THE LED LIGHT KITS MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LIFE OF THE LIGHTS USED ON THE STOP ARMS AND, AS A RESULT, THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: SHOULD THE LED LIGHTS STOP FUNCTIONING, VISIBILITY OF A STOPPED BUS AND THE STOP ARM WOULD BE DECREASED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A PASSING VEHICLE STRIKING A CHILD OR OTHER PERSON ENTERING OR LEAVING THE BUS.

Remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE BUSES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMI WARRANTY SERVICE AT 1-800-951-7867 OR GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-2012.

Reported: 2010-03-25 (March 25, 2010)

CORP. MICRO BIRD HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2010 SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2007 AND MARCH 2010 FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE S AND K SERIES WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON M,ARCH 31, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MICRO BIRD AT 1-819-477-2012.

Reported: 2011-04-11 (April 11, 2011)

CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 GIRARDIN G5 AND MBII AND MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 MICRO BIRD G5 AND MB II SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2006 THROUGH APRIL 5, 2011, FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 131, "SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY DEVICES." THE 4-WAY WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT HAVE AN ALARM TO ALERT THE DRIVER THAT THE STOP ARM DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE 4 RED LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED.

Consequence: THE DRIVER COULD ERRONEOUSLY THINK THAT THE SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM IS DEPLOYED WHILE THE FIRST SET OF 4 RED LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED. THIS CONDITION INCREASES RISK OF INJURY TO PEDESTRIANS.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED WARNING LIGHTS WITH WARNING LIGHTS THAT HAVE AN ALARM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING JUNE 2011. 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 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: 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: 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: 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.