2011 Micro Bird MB II SCHOOL BUS: complaints, problems and recalls

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: 2011-08-15 (August 15, 2011)

MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 MICRO BIRD G5 AND MB II SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 1, 2009, THROUGH MARCH 16, 2011. THE WIRE ON THE 8-WAY FLASHING LIGHT POWER CIRCUIT IS TOO SMALL CAUSING THE TERMINAL CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT. IF THE CONNECTION FAILS, THE 8- WAY SYSTEM WILL STOP WORKING.

Consequence: IN ABSENCE OF THE FLASHING LIGHTS, A VEHICLE APPROACHING A SCHOOL BUS THAT IS LOADING OR UNLOADING STUDENTS, MAY NOT STOP. THIS SITUATION COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH OF A PASSENGER.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND PROVIDE AN UPRATED WIRING KIT WITH A RELAY, FREE OF CHARGE. MICRO BIRD WILL REIMBURSE FOR LABOR. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MICRO BIRD AT 1-819-477-2012.

Reported: 2011-09-19 (September 19, 2011)

MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 MICRO BIRD G5 AND MICRO BIRD MBII SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 14, 2010, THROUGH JUNE 7, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A C. E. WHITE SEAT CUSHION. THE SEAT CUSHION SELF-LATCHING MECHANISM DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN A 48.4 POUND MASS IS PLACED ON THE CENTER OF THE SEAT CUSHION AND ACCORDINGLY, THESE SEATS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 222, "SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence: IF THE SEAT CUSHION IS NOT FULLY LATCHED TO THE SEAT STRUCTURE, IT COULD FLIP UP OUT OF POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

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

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

MICRO BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 MB II SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 16, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. DURING PRODUCTION, THE 2 SETS OF LOWER ANCHORAGES WHICH ARE USED TO RESTRAIN A PORTABLE CHILD SEAT, WERE NOT INSTALLED. ACCORDINGLY, THE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." 

Consequence: IF A PORTABLE CHILD RESTRAINT IS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, IT WILL ONLY BE SECURED BY THE SEAT BELT INSTEAD OF THE SEAT BELT AND THE LOWER ANCHORAGES. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A CHILD NOT SUFFICIENTLY RESTRAINED COULD BE INJURED.

Remedy: MICRO BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING LOWER ANCHORAGES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 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 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: 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: 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.