2008–2009 Collins Grand Bantam, 2008–2009 Collins Super Bantam, 2008–2009 Mid Bus Grand Guide and 1 other model Recall: Other

The defect

COLLINS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 SUPER BANTAM AND GRAND BANTAM AND MID BUS SUPER GUIDE AND GRAND GUIDE SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD AND CHEVROLET PLATFORMS FROM MARCH 31, 2008 THROUGH JULY 31, 2009, 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. THE LIGHTS MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING.

The risk

SHOULD THE LED LIGHTS STOP FUNCTIONING, VISIBILITY OF A STOPPED BUS WOULD BE DECREASED, INCREASING THE RISK THAT A CHILD OR OTHER PEDESTRIAN WITHIN VICINITY OF THE STOPPED BUS COULD BE STRUCK BY A PASSING VEHICLE.

The fix — what to do

COLLINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LIGHT KITS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 17, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COLLINS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-533-1850.

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .