2005–2006 Girardin MB II, 2005–2006 Girardin MB IV G5, 2006 Micro Bird MB II School Bus Recall: Equipment Adaptive/mobility

The defect

GIRARDIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2005 AND 2006 MB II AND MB IV G5 SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2005 AND DECEMBER 2006, EQUIPPED WITH RICON S OR K SERIES WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES."

The risk

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

The fix — what to do

GIRARDIN IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS (PLEASE SEE 07E097). THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR GIRARDIN MINIBUS AT 1-819-477-2012 EXT. 428.

GIRARDIN'S RECALL NO. 08-021-RIU.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.