RoadVitals

2003 Girardin Mb Iv Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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Newest Aug 13, 2010
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Recall campaigns

7 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

EQUIPMENT

Aug 13, 2010
130 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN GIRARDIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 AND MICRO BIRD BY GIRARDIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 G5 AND 2003 THROUGH 2006 GIRARDIN MB IV TRANSIT BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS EMERGENCY EXISTS AND WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE." THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THERMAL T-SLIDER OR PANORAMIC TYPE PUSH-OUT WINDOWS WITH 2 RELEASE MECHANISMS (ONE ON EACH SIDE). THE WINDOW HANDLE BASE SPACER PLATE CAN TEAR DUE TO THE ROTATION OF THE EXTERIOR WINDOW FRAME.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE EMERGENCY EXIT COULD NOT SUFFICIENTLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) OR BECOME INOPERABLE. THE OCCUPANT(S) COULD BE THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE OR NOT BE CAPABLE OF OPENING THE EMERGENCY EXITS WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S).
The remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL PROVIDE PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MICRO BIRD AT 1-819-477-2012.
CORP. MICRO BIRD, INC.Manufacturer number 10-038-WIUView on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Aug 22, 2005
10 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN 2003 THROUGH 2005 GIRARDIN MB II AND MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 17 AND OCTOBER 29, 2004. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE APPLIED TO THE ROOF SEAMS AND INTERIOR PANELS IS INADEQUATE FOR THE TYPE OF ADHESIVE USED WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH. ALSO, DUE TO THE INADEQUATE JOINT STRENGTH, THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE SEAT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AFFECTED PANELS AND SEATS MAY NOT RESIST AND THIS COULD POSSIBLY ENDANGER THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 3, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-8222.
GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC.Manufacturer number 05-011-JSUView on NHTSA.gov

OTHER:SCHOOL BUS STOP ARM ASSEMBLY

Aug 4, 2005
1,498 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN GIRARDIN MY 2002 THROUGH 2005 MB II & MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2002, AND AUGUST 8, 2005, AND EQUIPPED WITH "5" SERIES STOP ARMS MANUFACTURED BY SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING COMPANY. IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE MICROSWITCHES USED INTERNALLY TO POSITION THE SIGN IN THE OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING THE SIGN TO OPEN OR CLOSE IN AN IMPROPER POSITION, OR TO NOT OPEN AT ALL.
The risk: SHOULD THE STOP ARM NOT PERFORM PROPERLY, A CHILD OR PEDESTRIAN MAY BE ENDANGERED BY PASSING VEHICLES SHOULD THE MOTORIST NOT STOP AT THE CORRECT LOCATION.
The remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A SWITCH PACK THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THE MICROSWITCH HEATER WIRING IS PROPERLY CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 1-800-951-7867.
GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC.Manufacturer number 05-010-SAUView on NHTSA.gov
Apr 7, 2005
204 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MY 2003-2005 GIRARDIN MB II AND MB IV SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 20, 2003, AND DECEMBER 16, 2004, (SEE AMENDED NONCOMPLIANCE REPORT RECEIVED AUGUST 18, 2005) BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS. SEATS EQUIPPED WITH THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 222, 'SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SEATING AND CRASH PROTECTION.'
The risk: THE SEAT BACK MAY NOT ABSORB ENOUGH ENERGY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL A FLAT BAR ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT WHERE THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGE IS BOLTED TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE SEAT BACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 819-477-8222.
GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC.Manufacturer number 05-009-CRAView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 7, 2004
35 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MBII AND MBIV SCHOOL AND COMMERCIAL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 & E-450, GM 3500 CHASSIS, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1999, AND DECEMBER 31, 2003, AND EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR TIE-DOWN SECUREMENT ASSEMBLIES P/N 8625-13. THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE LOAD PAWL NOT TO FULLY SEAT IN THE SPROCKET TEETH.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
The remedy: SURE-LOK WILL NOTIFY GIRARDIN'S CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOK AT 1-908-231-1804.
GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC.Manufacturer number 04-007-SLView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

May 27, 2004
28 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MB IV SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-450 CHASSIS, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26 AND MAY 7, 2004, WITH OPTION AWB-2, WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PRESSURE SWITCH FITTING P/N 23A200 ON THE POWER STEERING LINE TO ASSIST THE POWER BRAKE THIS FITTING MAY LEAK CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST.
The risk: LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: GIRARDIN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND EITHER REPLACE THE PRESSURE SWITCH FITTING WITH A NEW PRESSURE SWITCH FITTING P/N 23A200-REV A OR REMOVE THE DEFECTIVE PRESSURE SWITCH FITTING AND INSTALL THE "T" FITTING FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED DURING JUNE 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT GIRARDIN AT 819-477-3222.
GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC.Manufacturer number 04-006-AWBView on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS

Oct 3, 2003
46 units potentially affected
The defect: MY 2003 MBII & MBIV SCHOOL BUSES BUILT ON FORD E-350 & E-450, GM 3500 CHASSIS, AND MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 25 AND SEPTEMBER 17, 2003. THESE BUSES ARE EQUIPPED WITH BEAM'S INDUSTRIES SEAT BELTS. THE METAL FRAME OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY FRACTURE DUE TO POSSIBLE EMBRITTLEMENT OF THE STEEL, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL RELEASE OF THE ENGAGED TONGUE DURING USE. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH, AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy: BEAM'S INDUSTRIES WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF GIRARDIN DIRECTLY AND WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE REMEDY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BEAM'S AT 1-888-343-9266 OR GIRARDIN AT 1-819-477-8222.
GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC.Manufacturer number 03-005-SBView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources