Blue Bird 2006-8 All American, conventional, Micro Bird buses w/Ricon wheelchair lift

[notyard]

U.S. NHTSA recall press release on Blue Bird buses due to faulty Ricon wheelchair lifts again:

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
BLUE BIRD / ALL AMERICAN 2006-2008
BLUE BIRD / CONVENTIONAL 2006-2008
BLUE BIRD / MICRO BIRD 2006-2008

Manufacturer : BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date : APR 10, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V163000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2129

Summary:
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING 2,129 MY 2006-2008 ALL AMERICAN, CONVENTIONAL, AND MICRO BIRD SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 3, 2005 AND FEBRUARY 15, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH RICON MODEL 1200, 2000, AND 5500 PLATFORM STYLE WHEEL CHAIR LIFTS. THESE BUSES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence:
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy:
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-800-322-2884 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Notes:
BLUE BIRD RECALL NO. R08NA. 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.